The HbA1c (Haemoglobin A1c) test is a blood test that evaluates an individual's blood sugar regulation or glucose control. It measures average blood sugar levels by assessing the glucose coating on haemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs). While home or lab blood sugar checks offer only momentary snapshots, it is crucial to understand your body's typical blood glucose levels due to their constant fluctuations. Monitoring blood glucose is vital in diabetes management, and the HbA1c test serves as a key component in long-term health monitoring alongside regular glucose tests by determining the average blood sugar level over the preceding 90 days.

For individuals managing diabetes in Mumbai, the HbA1c test holds significant importance in their toolkit for diabetes management. Elevated HbA1c levels indicate high blood glucose, which can be associated with nerve damage, kidney disease, or heart disease. Therefore, for those with diabetes looking to evaluate their blood sugar control, obtaining an HbA1c test in Mumbai is recommended.

The following point needs to be considered while preparing for an HbA1c blood test:

Prerequisites

The HbA1c test requires no special preparations. Fasting is not necessary.

Best Time to Get Tested

The test can be conducted at any time of day. An eMedic will draw a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The sample is subsequently delivered to the lab for examination. Per the American Diabetes Association, the HbA1c test should be performed biannually for well-controlled diabetes and quarterly for poorly controlled diabetes.

Who Should Get an HbA1c Test

The HbA1c test is available for anyone seeking to monitor their diabetes control. Additionally, anyone who exhibits diabetic symptoms can get an HbA1c test.

Cautions Before Taking HbA1c Test

Certain conditions such as thalassemia, anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, kidney failure, liver disease, and recent blood transfusions can alter HbA1c results. Additionally, having different types (variants) of haemoglobin may affect HbA1c results, necessitating advanced testing. It is important to note that the HbA1c test alone cannot diagnose type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes; additional tests are needed for a comprehensive evaluation.

The HbA1c test plays a critical role in diagnosing and managing diabetes. Here is why it may be ordered:

• Regular testing for individuals aged 45 and older to monitor blood sugar levels, typically every 3 years if results are normal.

• Testing prediabetic individuals every 1 to 2 years to assess progression.

• Testing undiagnosed individuals with symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, or persistent fatigue suggestive of diabetes.

• Screening individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes, such as those with family history, prior gestational diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, or over 35 years old.

• Testing diabetic individuals at least twice yearly to evaluate treatment effectiveness.

• Monitoring blood sugar control to reduce the risk of complications such as diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy (eye damage due to diabetes), and neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes).

The results of the HbA1c test assist in establishing the percentage of haemoglobin coated with glucose. These percentage ranges, however, frequently change depending on personal characteristics like age and health. The following frequently used percentage thresholds are used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes:

Additionally, here are the therapeutic glycaemic targets:

Please note: Individualised targets may be set based on varied factors outlined in the provided information.

It is important to emphasise that the results of the HbA1c test should not be directly correlated or compared with fasting, random, or postprandial blood sugar levels, as these measurements reflect blood glucose levels at the testing time. In contrast, the HbA1c test provides an average of blood glucose concentration over the previous 12 weeks.