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Thursday, September 27, 2007

A1c Test Helps to Diagnose Diabetes

September 27, 2007

A1c test is not the only tool to help diagnose diabetes but it is the one mostly used. This test finds out how the blood glucose is controlled for the last three months. It will show how close to the target level the blood sugar has been.

How is the A1c test done? The physician takes a small sample of blood. This is analyzed in the laboratory for sugar in the blood. All have this in the blood since this plays an important role in the production of energy. The body needs this energy in order to function.. For some people though over a period of time, the glucose attaches itself to the hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is the red pigment present in the red blood cells which brings oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Mind you, the glucose gets attached to the hemoglobin depending on its amount in the blood. The higher the glucose level, the more gets attached to the hemoglobin.

Now where does the A1c test come in? Well, it tells how high the glucose level is. This will alert us that there is then more glucose that gets attached to the hemoglobin. The test shows the result as a percentage of the total amount with the normal values in the range of 6 to 7.5%.

Those whose diabetes is uncontrolled will show the A1c test result 16% or more. As soon as the blood glucose is controlled, the result will go down to normal level. It is important to set one's goal to as normal as possible. This way the risk for diabetes complications will lower as well. Remember that the A1c result is only an estimate .

This just reiterates the importance of monitoring one's blood glucose level. Whenever there is a change in the physical activity and in one's meal plans, test the blood glucose level. We are lucky that we live in this day and age when we can self monitor our blood sugar level. Unlike before when people had to run to the hospital every time they needed to find out the blood sugar level. For we need this information in order to make the necessary adjustment.

If you want more information on diabetes, please visit this site:

Free Diabetes Alert

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