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HbA1c Test Details
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What is the full form of the HbA1c test?

The full form of the HbA1c test is the glycosylated haemoglobin test

What is the HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) test? 

Glycosylated hemoglobin meaning - Glucose, a type of sugar in your blood, typically comes from the food you eat. While your body uses glucose as energy for many critical bodily functions, excess glucose, that is, blood sugar, gets attached to Haemoglobin. HbA1c means a blood test that measures the amount of glucose attached to Hb for an average of 3 months. Haemoglobin is a component of red blood cells (RBCs) that carries oxygen from the lungs to the whole body. In type 2 diabetes, the blood glucose gets high because your body does not produce enough insulin (a type of hormone) to move blood sugar from your bloodstream into your cells or because your cells stop responding to insulin. The lifespan of RBCs is 3 months, and hence it makes practical sense to test HbA1c every 3 months.

What are the other names for a HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

A1c, glycohemoglobin and glycated haemoglobin

What are the parameters Included in the HbA1c test?

There is only one parameter included in the HbA1c blood test which measures the average blood glucose (sugar) levels in a person. 

Why is the HbA1c Test done?

The haemoglobin A1c test may have several purposes:

1. To diagnose and monitor diabetes. With type 2 diabetes your blood glucose gets too high because your body doesn't make enough insulin to move blood sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, or because your cells stop responding to insulin.
2. Prediabetes means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. Lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and exercise, may help delay or prevent a prediabetic from becoming type 2 diabetic.
3. For people who have diabetes, the test is used to indicate how well diabetes has been controlled over the last few months.
4. Who else is advised to get tested every 3 to 6 months? Experts suggest those over 45 should monitor their levels. Also, those who are under 45 but are either obese or have a family history/predisposition to diabetes should also keep a check. Those who have been detected prediabetic are also to check HbA1c regularly.
5. People who have been diagnosed as diabetic should get tested every 3 to 6 months or more frequently if it is not getting under control.

Important to note that HbA1c test is not used to diagnose gestational diabetes, a form of the disease that can develop during pregnancy.

What does the HbA1c test measure?

Sugar entering the bloodstream can attach itself to the hemoglobin that is present in our body. Every single person has a certain level of sugar that is attached to their haemoglobin. However, people who have higher levels of blood sugar in their bodies tend to have more HbA1c as well. The HbA1c test can be useful in measuring the percentage of the red blood cells that have that sugar-attached haemoglobin content. 

What condition / disease does the HbA1c test detect?

The HbA1c test can be helpful in detecting a variety of diabetes-related problems in a patient. This test is extremely valuable if you want to save yourself from the risk of developing diabetes as well. In general, the test is prescribed to a patient if they are at risk of diabetic problems such as:

1. Cardiovascular issues
2. Nerve problems
3. Sexual problems (in women)
4. Gum disease
5. Kidney problems, etc. 

What type of sample is required for the HbA1c test? 

A blood sample is required from the patient to get the HbA1c test done. 

What are the other tests booked together along with HbA1c test? 

In order to detect the blood sugar levels in your body, the doctor might also prescribe some other tests along with the HbA1c test. Some of these tests include the fasting blood sugar and regular blood sugar test.

What should I expect during my HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

The person drawing your blood will:

1. Ask you to pull up your sleeves on the upper arm (for example, by rolling up your sleeve).
2. Tie a band called a tourniquet around your upper arm.
3. Clean the area on the inner arm with disinfectants, where it bends.
4. And then insert a thin needle into a vein.
5. And collect blood into a tube attached to the needle.
6. Remove the needle from the vein, then put a spot band-aid on the tiny hole.

What should I expect after my HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

You usually return to normal activities after a haemoglobin A1c test. If you receive a blood draw, the phlebotomist will put a small spot band-aid over the pricked site to make sure that the bleeding stops. If you want to leave the bandage on for an hour or more. You may have noticed some bruising where the needle was inserted. Fingerstick do not typically cause lasting pain or discomfort. If needed, you can apply a bandage to your fingertip to stop the bleeding.

How do I prepare for an HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

The A1C test is a simple blood test. You don't need to be in fasting for the A1C test, so you can eat and drink normally before the test.

What are the risks of an HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

These blood tests are very common and don’t carry any significant risks. You may have a slight pain like an ant bite when the needle gets inserted, and a small bruise may develop there.

Limitations of the HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test:

There are several factors that can lead to inaccurate test results of the HbA1c test. Some of these factors include: 

1. Liver disease, severe anemia, and kidney failure  
2. Other blood-related disorders such as thalassemia or sickle cell anaemia
3. Certain medicines such as HIV medications or opioids
4. Late or early pregnancy 
5. Blood transfusions or blood loss

When should I know the results of my HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

These reports are available via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours of the collection of the blood sample.

HbA1c test normal range: Values Range For Test Result 

Here is the HbA1c normal range chart and the indicators that might help in the diagnosis process. 

Glycosylated hemoglobin normal range is below 5.7%,

Prediabetes HbA1c level: between 5.7% and 6.4%

Diabetes HbA1c level: 6.5% or higher

What do the results of an HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test mean?

An A1c test result gets reported as a percentage. The number represents the portion of haemoglobin proteins that are glycated or hold glucose. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar levels have been over the last few months.

Less than 5.7% is HbA1c's test normal range.

5.7% to 6.4% signals pre-diabetes.

6.5% or higher means a diabetes diagnosis.

7% or lower is the goal for someone trying to manage their diabetes.

Who performs an HbA1c (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test?

A healthcare provider known as a phlebotomist usually performs the blood draw, including those for an HbA1c test, but any healthcare provider trained in drawing blood can perform this task. Your healthcare provider then sends the blood samples to a lab where a medical laboratory scientist prepares the samples and performs the tests on machines known as analysers.

Why choose Orange Health?

Orange Health is a reputed diagnostic service provider that allows people to make their appointments for blood testing and other tests at home. Just in a matter of seconds, you will be able to book your appointment from our website. After the booking is done, our paramedics will reach your home within an hour to take the sample. Once that is done, you will get your report within a few hours. Orange Health believes that healthcare services should be easily accessible to people, and hence we are one of the best service providers for at-home testing. 

How do I book a Hba1c test at home?

Submit your details and book an Hba1c test with Orange Health. Our highly trained, professional, and vaccinated eMedics will be at your doorstep within 60 minutes or at the time booked by you.

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