HA1c is the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that has been damaged by high blood sugar. HA1c is a measurement used to track the progress of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Glycosolated Hemoglobin
HA1c measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is glycosolated by blood sugar. Glycosolation is the process of glucose (blood sugar) attaching to proteins, which changes their structure and damages their function.
Blood Sugar History
HA1c reflects the average sugar levels in the blood over the past four months, the average lifespan of red blood cells.
Cell Damage
Glycosolation is natural, but accelerates in people with high blood sugar and can result in widespread cellular damage.
Normal Levels
Normal HA1c is 4.0 to 5.9, but the best levels are even lower.
Diagnosing Diabetes
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has approved the use of HA1c as a diagnostic criterion for type 2 diabetes. An HA1c of 6.5 or greater is considered support for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Monitoring Diabetes
Because diabetes is a chronic disease, and HA1c measures blood sugar over a few months, HA1c is probably the best tool to monitor diabetes.
