The HbA1c test stands for hemoglobin A1c. The test indicates what level of blood sugar a person maintained over the course of the three previous months. It presents information that the standard glucose test does not. Often used routinely, the HbA1c test helps in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
Definition
Hemoglobin, a component of blood, carries oxygen to the body’s tissues. According to "Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary 31st ed.," HbA1c, a subtype of hemoglobin, has a special function. It allows glucose to bind to it, a process called glycosolation. This simple property provides crucial information about the body’s glucose levels. Further, this type of hemoglobin circulates in the blood for approximately 120 days before it dies.
Significance
The HbA1c test guides the treatment of the diabetic person. According to "CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010," a simple blood test measures the hemoglobin A1c. Its number reflects the amount of blood glucose in a set of working values that correlate with the standard blood glucose test. An example of a good reading, 5, represents a blood sugar test result of 97. As the number of HbA1c goes up, the corresponding regular blood sugar test value changes proportionately. A high HbA1c of 12 would represent a blood sugar reading of 298.
Benefits
Directly linked to what we eat, blood sugar needs testing with three considerations: levels taken before meals, after meals and at bedtime. A proper evaluation should average all three. In contrast, the diabetic person has the HgA1c once every three months. The results draw a more accurate picture of glucose control with the current treatment over a three month period. Adjustments made in treatments reflect how close to normal the HbA1c remains. The diabetic person has not only daily goals to meet, but also long term goals.
Considerations
Medical tests, rated by their accuracy and specificity, usually fall short of perfect. The HbA1c test holds true to this. According to "Family Medicine Ambulatory Care and Prevention, 5th ed.," falsely elevated levels can signify other conditions such as kidney failure, alcohol use and aspirin use.
Potential
The HbA1c test has generally proved its reliability in presenting the overall success of the diabetic person's treatment. Recently, it became useful as an adjunct to the blood glucose test in diagnosing new onset diabetes not formerly diagnosed. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes remains a high priority to those who treat diabetic persons. The benefits include improving quality of life and lessening the debilitating complications of untreated diabetes.
References
- "CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010"; Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine A. Papadakis; 2010
- "Harrison's Manual of Medicine"; Anthony S. Fauci et al; 2009
- "Family Medicine Ambulatory Care and Prevention 5th ed.";Mark B. Mengel, MD, MPH and L. Peter Schwiebert, MD, 2009
