Glycated hemoglobin - HbA1C
What does HbA1C stand for?
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin. When glucose from the bloodstream merges with hemoglobin – a molecule of glycated hemoglobin is created (also known as a1c or HbA1C).
The amount of HbA1C molecules in the bloodstream increases proportionally to the rise in the blood glucose level.
When the blood glucose level is low, there are less HbA1C molecules in the bloodstream.
HbA1C test
The results of this test appear in percentages, reflecting the actual level of glycated hemoglobin in the bloodstream compared to the possible maximum it could reach.
Since the red blood cell, produced by the bone marrow, has the lifespan of 8 to 12 weeks, the HbA1C test reflects the blood glucose level during the two-three months prior to the test, the last month being the dominant one.
In individuals not afflicted by diabetes or in pre-diabetics, the level of glycated hemoglobin is about 5% up to 6%.
The recommended result range for diabetics is lower than 7%.
How is a state of balanced diabetes determined?
The HbA1C test aids to determine whether balanced diabetic state is achieved.
A drawback: Since the HbA1C test reflects the average blood glucose level, high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) are offset by low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia),
it is insufficient to determine a balanced state.
Two important means to determine the balance of the blood glucose level:
1. Daily self-monitoring before and after meals (90-130), in accordance with the type of diabetes and the recommended treatment.
2. A HbA1C test results lower than 7%.
Examples, illustrating the importance of combining both factors listed above:
1. Self-monitoring table would contain blood glucose level values within the proper range while HbA1C levels would still be higher than average.
This will occur because during certain hours, nighttime for instance, the blood glucose level is higher than that reflected in the monitoring tests.
2. The HbA1C level would be within the normal range while the self-monitoring table would contain multiple instances of
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
Examples of average HbA1C and blood glucose levels
|
HbA1C level
|
Average blood glucose level
|
|
5.0%
|
97mg/dl
|
|
5.5%
|
111mg/dl
|
|
5.0%
|
97mg/dl
|
|
6.0%
|
125mg/dl
|
|
6.5%
|
140mg/dl
|
|
7.0%
|
154mg/dl
|
|
7.5%
|
169mg/dl
|
|
8.0%
|
183mg/dl
|
|
8.5%
|
197mg/dl
|
|
9.0%
|
212mg/dl
|
|
9.5%
|
226mg/dl
|
|
10.0%
|
240mg/dl
|
|
10.5%
|
255mg/dl
|
|
11.0%
|
269mg/dl
|
|
12.0%
|
298mg/dl
|
|
13.0%
|
326mg/dl
|
|
| Iris Peleg | + 972-54-4608679
| peleg.iris@gmail.com | www.irispeleg.com |
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