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    Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)61849021% off
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    What is a HbA1c Test?

    The HbA1c test , also known as Glycated Haemoglobin or Glycosylated Haemoglobin is a blood test that assesses an individual’s blood sugar or glucose control. Measurement of blood glucose levels is an integral aspect of diabetes management. In addition to the blood glucose test, the HbA1c test is also included in the long-term monitoring of diabetes health. The test helps measure the average blood sugar level over the past 90 days.

    Routine assessment of blood sugar at home or through a laboratory test is a temporary instance. Since the blood sugar levels are subjected to constant fluctuations, it is essential to know the average blood glucose levels being maintained by your body in the blood. The HbA1c test measures the average blood sugar levels by determining the amount of glucose that is coated on haemoglobin in the red blood cells (RBCs).

    The HbA1c test is a valuable aspect of the diabetes management toolkit of an individual. HbA1c levels are elevated in individuals with high blood glucose in diabetes. High HbA1c levels are also a sign of kidney disease, heart disease and nerve damage. So if you are someone with diabetes willing to assess your blood sugar control, it is recommended to get an HbA1c test.

    HbA1c Test Parameters

    The parameter measured in the test is HbA1c specifically an average of blood glucose levels over the past two to three months, expressed as a percentage. Glucose, a type of sugar in the body, attaches to haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein found only in the red blood cells (RBCs), responsible for giving blood its red colour and for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells. The process of sticking glucose to haemoglobin is known as glycation. As long as the RBCs are alive, the glucose can stick there around, which is nearly three months. The test assesses the percentage of RBCs with glucose-coated haemoglobin.

    The higher the level of blood glucose, the higher the percentage of cells having glucose-coated haemoglobin. Since RBCs have a lifespan of about three months, the HbA1c test reflects the average blood sugar levels during this period. Thus, a higher HbA1c percentage indicates higher average blood sugar levels over the previous three months. HbA1c can be a valuable diagnostic tool for determining the risk of diabetes or the onset of early diabetes. Since the HbA1c test measures blood glucose levels over a period of time, the test can provide an accurate estimation of the body’s blood sugar control when compared to a single blood sugar test.

    HbA1c Test Preparation

    • Prerequisites

    The HbA1c blood test does not require any special preparations. The test does not require any fasting.

    • Best time to get tested.

    The test can be taken at any time during the day. During the test, a professional will take a blood sample from the vein in your arm by inserting a needle. The collected blood sample will be sent to the laboratory for testing. According to the American Diabetes Association, the HbA1c test can be conducted twice a year for patients with well-controlled diabetes and every 3 months in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.

    • Eligibility for HbA1c test

    All individuals who wish to track their diabetes control are eligible to take the HbA1c test. Individuals who manifest symptoms of diabetes are eligible for getting an HbA1c test.

    • Cautions before taking the HbA1c test

    It is important to note that individuals with conditions like anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, kidney failure, or liver disease, as well as those receiving blood transfusions, may experience altered HbA1c results. Additionally, if you have different types (variants) of haemoglobin, it can affect your HbA1c results. In that case, you may need advanced testing. The HbA1c test alone cannot be performed for diagnosis of type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes. Other tests are required to get a complete picture of your condition.

    Why Take an HbA1c Test?

    The HbA1c test is crucial for both managing diabetes and diagnosing the condition. The following are the reasons for which the HbA1c test can be ordered:

    • For individuals aged 45 and above, routine testing helps monitor blood sugar levels, with a frequency of every 3 years if results are within normal range.

    • For those without a diabetes diagnosis, an A1C test may be ordered if symptoms suggestive of diabetes are present, such as intense thirst, increased urination, blurry vision, or persistent fatigue.

    • If diagnosed with prediabetes, testing is done every 1 to 2 years to assess progression. Those diagnosed with diabetes should undergo HbA1c testing at least twice a year to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment plan.

    • Additionally, individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes may undergo screening with an HbA1C test, particularly if they have a family history of the condition, a personal history of gestational diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or are over the age of 35.

    • Taking an HbA1c test at home to assess blood sugar control helps prevent the risk of developing diabetes complications such as diabetic kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy (eye damage due to diabetes), and neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes).

    Therefore, the HbA1c test helps identify individuals who may benefit from early intervention and lifestyle modifications to prevent diabetes and its complications effectively.

    HbA1c Test Results & Interpretation

    The findings of the HbA1c test help determine the percentage of haemoglobin being coated with glucose. However, these percentage ranges tend to fluctuate based on individual factors such as age and health status. For diagnosing diabetes or prediabetes, commonly utilized percentage thresholds are:

    HbA1c PercentageInterpretation
    Less than 5.7%Non-Diabetic
    5.7 to 6.4%Prediabetes
    More than 6.5%Diabetic

    Additionally, here are the therapeutic glycaemic targets:

    TargetHbA1c Percentage
    AdultsLess than 7%
    Children with type 1 diabetesLess than 7%
    Pregnant diabetic patientsLess than 6.5%

    Please note that individualized targets may be determined based on various factors as mentioned in the provided notes.

    It is noteworthy that the findings of the HbA1c test should not be correlated or compared with fasting, random, or postprandial blood sugar levels as they measure blood glucose levels only at the time of testing. In contrast, the HbA1c test reflects the average blood glucose concentration over the past 12 weeks.

    FAQs on HbA1c Test in Bangalore

    Hb1Ac is sometimes mistakenly written as HbA1c. However, it is the same test.

    Listed below are the steps to book any blood test or health checkup on our platform

    • Search for the Test: Look for the HbA1c Test in Bangalore or at home and click on Orange Health’s listing.

    • Review and Book: Select the test, check the test prerequisites, enter your Address and confirm the booking after picking a suitable time slot for sample collection.

    • Sample Collection: Our skilled eMedic will arrive within your chosen time slot to collect the sample at your home.

    • Lab Processing: The collected sample will be sent to and examined at our NABL accredited and ICMR approved labs.

    • Receive Results: You will receive your reports via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours. They will also be available on our app.

    The HbA1c test in Bangalore measures average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes.

    No fasting is required for an HbA1c test; you can eat and drink as normal before the test.

    Yes, Orange Health Labs offers home blood sample collection for HbA1c tests in Bangalore within 60 minutes of booking.

    Yes, home sample collection for HbA1c test is available through Orange Health Labs. You can get a sample collection done at the convenience of your home within 60 minutes of booking based on the slot availability.

    Normal HbA1c levels are below 5.7%. Levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.

    The HbA1c test reports are available within 6 hours.

    While there are no specific guidelines regarding the frequency of HbA1c testing, it is recommended to take the test every 3 to 6 months, or more frequently if advised by your doctor.

    The test includes only one parameter, HbA1c which indicates your average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.

    High HbA1c levels indicate poor blood sugar control, which is associated with an increased risk of diabetes complications.

    Without having to visit a physical lab, Orange Health provides the fastest HbA1c test services near you across Bangalore at the convenience of your home. Localities include but not limited to Adugodi, Banashankari, Bannerghatta, Basavanagudi, Bellandur, BTM Layout, Chamrajpet, Cottonpet, CV Raman Nagar, Domlur, Electronic City, Frazer Town, Giri Nagar, Hebbal, Hennur, Hosur, HSR Layout, Jakkur, Jalahalli, Jaya Nagar, Kadugodi, Kammanahalli, Kengeri, Koramangala, Mahalakshmi Layout, Madiwala, Magadi Road, Malleshwaram, Marathahalli, Mathikere, Mysore Road, Nagarbhavi, Nandhini Layout, Old Airport Road, Peenya, RT Nagar, Rajaji Nagar, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Sadashivnagar, Sahakara Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Sarjapur, Seshadripuram, Shanthi Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, Sri Nagar, Tyagarajnagar, Uttarahalli, Vasanth Nagar, Vidyaranyapura, Vijaya Nagar, Whitefield, Yelahanka, Yeshwantpur.

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