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Hemoglobin A1c Information
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Table of Contents
Additional Information
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About the Hemoglobin A1c Test
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| The hemoglobin A1c test (also called HbA1c) is a simple lab test and is the best way for a physician to tell if your blood sugar is under control. It shows the average amount of sugar (glucose) that has been in your blood over the previous three months. It shows what sugar your body ISN'T using for the last 3-4 months and is a more comprehensive test for diabetes. |
| Sugar in the bloodstream, that is not used for energy, becomes attached to the hemoglobin (the part of the cell that carried oxygen) in red blood cells. This process is called glycosylation (pronounced gli-kos-a-lay'-shen). Once the sugar is attached, it is irreversible and stays there for the life of the red blood cell, which is about 120 days. The higher the level of glucose in the blood, the more it builds up in the cells and this build up prevents blood cells from traveling through the capillaries. The HbA1c test measures the amount of glucose bound to hemoglobin and provides an assessment of average blood sugar control during the last three months prior to the test. |
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Who should take the HbA1c Test?
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| Anyone with diabetes should have a hemoglobin A1c test at least twice a year. More frequent testing (at least quarterly) are recommended if blood sugar stays too high or if there are any changes in the treatment plan. Since the test results give feedback on the previous two or three months, getting a HbA1c test done every three months will give good data on your average blood sugars. If blood sugar stays too high and you get an HbA1c every six months, you'll miss out on three months worth of information that is vital in managing your diabetes. |
| The hemoglobin HbA1c goal for people with diabetes is less than 7%. In people without diabetes, the HbA1c should be 4.5% to 6.7%. People with diabetes who keep their hemoglobin A1c levels close to 7% have a much better chance of delaying or preventing problems that affect the eyes, kidneys and nerves than people with hemoglobin A1c levels of 8% or higher. |
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HbA1c and Blood Sugar Values
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| HbA1c |
HbA1c |
Average Blood Glucose |
| % |
Levels |
mg/dL |
mmol/L |
| 14.0 |
|
360 |
20 |
| 13.5 |
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| 13 |
|
330 |
18.3 |
| 12.5 |
Seriously |
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| 12 |
Elevated |
300 |
16.7 |
| 11.5 |
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| 11 |
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270 |
15 |
| 10.5 |
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| 10 |
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240 |
13.3 |
| 9.5 |
Elevated |
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| 9 |
Levels |
210 |
11.7 |
| 8.5 |
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| 8 |
Slightly |
180 |
10 |
| 7.5 |
Elevated |
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| 7 |
Levels |
150 |
8.3 |
| 6.5 |
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| 6 |
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120 |
6.7 |
| 5.5 |
Non-diabetic |
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| 5 |
Levels |
90 |
5 |
| 4.5 |
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| 4 |
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60 |
3.3 |
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| Hemoglobin A1c Quick Facts |
- Keeping hemoglobin A1c levels below 7% can delay or prevent problems affecting eyes, kidneys and nerves
- Causes of high blood sugar includes eating too much food, eating the wrong foods, lack of exercise, stress, a need to change medicines, infection or illness.
- Treatment change is almost always needed if the A1c is over 8%.
- Diabetes is a serious disease that can cause blindness, heart attacks, amputations to feet and legs, and stop the kidneys from functioning.
- 16 Million Americans have diabetes - one in three do not know it!
- Each year 180,000 people die as a result of diabetes and its complications (probably more than this!).
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Signs and symptoms of diabetes includes:
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- Increased thirst and need to urinate
- Feeling edgy, tired, sick to their stomach
- Repeated hard to heal infections of skin, gums, vagina or bladder
- Blurred vision
- Tingling or loss of feeling in hands or feet
- Dry itchy skin
- Unexplained weight loss
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People at risk include:
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- Blood relatives of people with diabetes
- Women with unexplained miscarriages or stillbirths or who have had babies weighing 9 pounds or more at
birth
- African American, Hispanics, and Native Americans
- People over 45 (risk increases with age, nearly 1 in 5 people over 65 with diabetes!)
- People with high blood pressure, very high cholesterol or triglyceride
levels
- People who are obese
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Call today for more information
1.800.713.3301
Contact Us
Cholestcheck Corp.
PO Box 1985
Spartanburg, SC 29304
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