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    Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)5985508% off
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    What is an Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test?

    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.

    Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test Parameters

    The HbA1c test has only one parameter; it measures the concentration of HbA1c. This reflects the average blood glucose levels over the previous two to three months, represented as a percentage. Glucose, a form of sugar in the body, binds to haemoglobin, a protein exclusively found in RBCs. Haemoglobin is responsible for the red colour of blood and for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells. This process, known as glycation, occurs continuously as long as the RBCs are viable, which is approximately three months. The test evaluates the percentage of RBCs containing glucose-coated haemoglobin.

    As the blood glucose level increases, so does the percentage of red blood cells containing glucose-coated haemoglobin. Given the typical lifespan of red blood cells is around three months, the HbA1c test offers insight into average blood sugar levels over this duration. Therefore, a higher HbA1c percentage indicates elevated average blood sugar levels over the preceding three months. HbA1c serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing the risk of diabetes or early diabetes onset.

    Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test Preparation

    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.

    Why Take an Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test?

    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).

    Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test Results & Interpretation

    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:

    HbA1c PercentageInterpretation
    Less than 5.7%Non-Diabetic
    5.7 to 6.4%Prediabetes
    More than 6.5%Diabetic

    Additionally, here are the therapeutic glycaemic targets:

    TargetHbA1c Percentage
    AdultsLess than 7%
    Children with type 1 diabetesLess than 7%
    Pregnant diabetic patientsLess than 6.5%

    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.

    FAQs on Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test in Mumbai

    The HbA1c test price is ₹ 550. This test price covers the quickest home sample collection, arriving within 60 minutes of booking, and you will receive the reports in just 6 hours.

    Yes, Orange Health Labs offers home sample collection for the HbA1c test. You can have your sample collected at home within 60 minutes of booking, depending on slot availability.

    Measuring average blood sugar levels from the last 3 months, the HbA1c test is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring both diabetes and prediabetes.

    You do not need to fast for an HbA1c test; you can eat and drink normally before the test.

    Yes, Orange Health Labs offers home blood sample collection for the HbA1c test in Mumbai within 60 minutes of booking.

    Here is how to book any blood test or health checkup on our platform:

    • Search for the Test: Find the HbA1c test in Mumbai or at home collection, then click on Orange Health’s page.

    • Review and Book: Choose the test, review the prerequisites, enter your address, and confirm the booking after selecting a convenient time slot.

    • Sample Collection: Our skilled eMedic will visit your home within the chosen time slot to collect the sample.

    • Lab Processing: The sample will be sent to our NABL accredited and ICMR approved labs for analysis.

    • Receive Results: Your reports will be emailed or sent via WhatsApp within 6 hours, and they will also be available on our app.

    An HbA1c level below 5.7% is considered normal. Levels ranging from 5.7% to 6.4% indicate prediabetes, while levels of 6.5% or higher suggest diabetes.

    The HbA1c test at home results are available online within 6 hours.

    Although there are no strict guidelines for the frequency of HbA1c testing, it is generally recommended to have the test every 3 to 6 months, or more often if your doctor advises.

    This test includes just the HbA1c parameter, which reveals your average blood glucose levels over the last 2 to 3 months.

    Elevated HbA1c levels suggest poor blood sugar control and are linked to a higher risk of diabetes complications.

    HbA1c test is available in Colaba, Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Malabar Hill, Churchgate, Worli, Dadar, Parel, Byculla, Bandra, Andheri, Juhu, Ghatkopar, Powai, Chembur, Vashi, Belapur, Santacruz, Khar, Versova, Lokhandwala, Goregaon, Borivali, Kandivali, Mulund, Bhandup, Kurla.

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