Want To Keep Your Diabetes In Check?
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Get HbA1c Test Done
India has now been labelled as the “Diabetes Capital of the World” and thousands of people are being diagnosed with the condition every day. If this disease is diagnosed at the an early stage, people suffering from it can live a longer and healthier life, free from complications. Keeping blood sugar levels in check is the most crucial factor for managing diabetes. In addition to medications, routine blood tests help in assessing diabetes control and need for any changes in diet and medications. One of the most important test that is advised by the doctor is Glycosylated Hemoglobin or Gylycated hemoglobin ( HbA1c).
What Is Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)?
-Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a form of hemoglobin to which glucose is attached.
-Since glucose stays attached to hemoglobin for a lifespan life of red blood cells, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin usually reflects the average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months.
What Are The Benefits Of Getting This Test Done?
-It is an important blood test which shows how well your diabetes is being controlled.
-The HbA1c level is a more reliable indicator of long term glycemic control than blood and urinary glucose levels.
-It can also help in detecting if you are at increased risk of developing diabetes (Pre Diabetes).
-It is also used to make adjustments in your diabetes medicines.
What Do The Results Mean?
-For the screening and diagnosis purpose, the normal range of HbA1c is test is between 4% and 5.6%.
-Hemoglobin A1c level between 5.7 to 6.4%, indicates you are at increased risk of developing diabetes (Pre Diabetic).
-A level higher than 6.5%, suggests you have diabetes.
-If you already have diabetes, the goal is to keep the HbA1c level below 7%.
How Is The Test Done?
-The test is done by taking a simple non fasting blood sample.
-It can be done on any time of the day and has no relation to food, exercise or recent medications.
How Frequently Should You Get This Test Done?
-In diabetics, this test should be performed in every 3 to 4 months.
-If your blood glucose levels are under control, you may get this test done every 6 months.
How Can You Keep Your HbA1c level In Check?
-Keeping your HbA1c level in your target range can lower your chance for problems.
-You may lower your HbA1c level by following a holistic approach which consists of dietary modifications, physical activity and medications.
Are There Any Limitations Of This Test?
-The test does not reflect the daily ups and downs of glucose.
-The HbA1c level is not appropriate for the diagnosis of diabetes in following situations:
-In pregnant women and children
-In patients with symptoms of diabetes for less than 2 months
-In Patients suspected of having type 1 Diabetes
-In Patients with anemia, kidney, liver diseases, disorders of hemoglobin synthesis, excessive alcohol intake and hyper-triglyceridemia.
-In these situations, it is best to seek the opinion of a diabetologist for further advice.
So, if you or anyone in your family has diabetes or is at increased risk of diabetes, you can get an HbA1c test done.
Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!
.. more
Get HbA1c Test Done
India has now been labelled as the “Diabetes Capital of the World” and thousands of people are being diagnosed with the condition every day. If this disease is diagnosed at the an early stage, people suffering from it can live a longer and healthier life, free from complications. Keeping blood sugar levels in check is the most crucial factor for managing diabetes. In addition to medications, routine blood tests help in assessing diabetes control and need for any changes in diet and medications. One of the most important test that is advised by the doctor is Glycosylated Hemoglobin or Gylycated hemoglobin ( HbA1c).
What Is Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)?
-Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a form of hemoglobin to which glucose is attached.
-Since glucose stays attached to hemoglobin for a lifespan life of red blood cells, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin usually reflects the average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months.
What Are The Benefits Of Getting This Test Done?
-It is an important blood test which shows how well your diabetes is being controlled.
-The HbA1c level is a more reliable indicator of long term glycemic control than blood and urinary glucose levels.
-It can also help in detecting if you are at increased risk of developing diabetes (Pre Diabetes).
-It is also used to make adjustments in your diabetes medicines.
What Do The Results Mean?
-For the screening and diagnosis purpose, the normal range of HbA1c is test is between 4% and 5.6%.
-Hemoglobin A1c level between 5.7 to 6.4%, indicates you are at increased risk of developing diabetes (Pre Diabetic).
-A level higher than 6.5%, suggests you have diabetes.
-If you already have diabetes, the goal is to keep the HbA1c level below 7%.
How Is The Test Done?
-The test is done by taking a simple non fasting blood sample.
-It can be done on any time of the day and has no relation to food, exercise or recent medications.
How Frequently Should You Get This Test Done?
-In diabetics, this test should be performed in every 3 to 4 months.
-If your blood glucose levels are under control, you may get this test done every 6 months.
How Can You Keep Your HbA1c level In Check?
-Keeping your HbA1c level in your target range can lower your chance for problems.
-You may lower your HbA1c level by following a holistic approach which consists of dietary modifications, physical activity and medications.
Are There Any Limitations Of This Test?
-The test does not reflect the daily ups and downs of glucose.
-The HbA1c level is not appropriate for the diagnosis of diabetes in following situations:
-In pregnant women and children
-In patients with symptoms of diabetes for less than 2 months
-In Patients suspected of having type 1 Diabetes
-In Patients with anemia, kidney, liver diseases, disorders of hemoglobin synthesis, excessive alcohol intake and hyper-triglyceridemia.
-In these situations, it is best to seek the opinion of a diabetologist for further advice.
So, if you or anyone in your family has diabetes or is at increased risk of diabetes, you can get an HbA1c test done.
Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!
.. more
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View all 14 comments Below 14 comments
from my experience of last 11 years, we should be Mitahari. if we can not control our tongue, we are gone. Forget all those carb fat etc. whatever you take Docs will find a loophole and change the medicine. On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 9:00 AM, Pritam Sharma wrote: > more
Oct 31
Mr. Chandan Pal, The following can be possible reasons for a high FBS level as compared to PPBS level: - Dawn Phenomenon - If one has eaten less in the night, the liver can release small quantities of sugar in the blood stream to enable the body to continue to manage especially in the early morning. This can cause a sugar level spike in the morning resulting in a FPS reading spike. A diabetic has to manage a fine line between eating too much or too little. - Insulin facilitates sugar to be absorbed from the blood stream by the cells. However, Insulin resistance can result in sugar not being absorbed efficiently. This can result in a high FPS reading. The doctor is the best judge to adjust/change the medication. - If the blood sugar tests are done with a glucose meal instead of a regular meal then it has been sometimes observed that the PPBS reading after 2 hours of taking the meal is lower than FBS reading. Pure glucose seems to be absorbed quicker than glucose from a regular meal. The doctor is the best judge to diagnose and advise. more
Oct 30
Food adulteration is surely a major issue which needs urgent attention by Govt. This is basically result to high level of corruption and low moral values of the society. more
Oct 30
I think Mr. Sharma has described the test that shows how well your body is breaking down sugar. He didn't claim any cure. But diabetes is a slow killer. Whether afraid of it or not it slows down almost all the organs until they give up one by one. Eyes, liver, bones etc: fall to it right upto impotency. The diabetes management only slows this down to give a better quality of life for a longer duration. The other option is staying invalid or long agony to death. I have seen its vicious form in relatives and just managing my sugar levels. Coming to medicos making profit let me ask. Is it a sin to make money? If yes, we are all sinners making money. On the flip side only these medicines and tests give the defence against the disease, however weak it is. The options end there more
Oct 29
