Hemoglobin is a complex protein. In the human body, he is responsible for the transfer of oxygen to tissues and organs. Sometimes this substance can be combined with glucose. This process is called glykirovaniem. The resulting compound - glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) - is a substance that indicates whether important changes occur in the body, and if so, how far they have managed to go.
What does the blood test show for glycosylated hemoglobin?
This concept includes only that part of the protein, which has already managed to communicate with glucose molecules. Glycosylated hemoglobin is measured in percent. The analysis for the determination of this substance is more reliable than most other studies showing the amount of sugar in the blood . Moreover, the data obtained cover a sufficiently long period of time.
A1C - one of the alternative names of the compound - in small amounts can be contained in the body of any, even an absolutely healthy person. A normal blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin can be considered if the amount of protein does not exceed 5.7%. In patients with diabetes, this indicator is often increased by two or three, or even more times. If HbA1C in the body is not enough, such diseases as hemolytic anemia or hypoglycemia may be suspected. The amount of substance sharply decreases after blood transfusions or serious operations.
At once I would like to warn: to worry ahead of time it is not necessary. The fact that glycosylated hemoglobin is increased does not yet mean the development of diabetes . A figure that is above 6.5% is considered to be really dangerous. In this case, the diagnosis of "diabetes mellitus" is put almost with absolute certainty, although additional tests can also refute it.
If the A1C level is in the range from 5.7 to 6.5 percent, then there is a risk of developing the disease. To prevent diabetes, you should urgently reconsider your own way of life, if possible, go in for sports, exclude from the diet fatty, fried and unhealthy dishes. If the patient adheres to all the prescriptions, the amount of protein will return to normal within a month.
The data, which shows the study of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood, make it possible for specialists not only to diagnose, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and, if necessary, to correct it. By the way, you can take the analysis to adults and children. The norms of the substance are the same for patients of different ages.
How can I take a blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin?
Specialists recommend taking blood for glycosylated hemoglobin every three months. This will make it possible to constantly keep the level of HbA1C under control and, if necessary, take appropriate measures. People who are not predisposed to diabetes should be done at least once every six months.
Some laboratories state that the detectable level of glycosylated hemoglobin does not depend on whether fasting blood was given or not. But to be confident in the results of the study, it is still better to go to the fence of tests in the morning on an empty stomach.
To postpone the visit to the laboratory should also be given to those patients who survived a blood transfusion or heavy bleeding. Because of these factors, the analysis indicators can be highly distorted.
Although the definition of glycosylated hemoglobin is a procedure and expensive, it has many advantages:
- Analysis can not distort colds and infections.
- The emotional state of the patient does not influence the result of the study.
- The A1C level is determined very quickly.