How do we know if our blood sugar level is rising? Sometimes, it is difficult for us to notice the small variations in our blood sugar level and the overall functioning of our body. Well, are these changes significant? This article is going to provide you with some insights into the glycosylated haemoglobin test, or the more familiar HbA1C test.
The HbA1C test is utilised in screening for diabetes, pre-diabetes, and the blood sugar level in an already diabetic individual. The condition is caused by a rising level of glucose in the blood. It is detrimental to your health as it can wreak havoc by initiating damage to your blood vessels, which carry oxygen to different sections of the body.
Through this test, we can assess the quality of treatment for diabetes by checking glycosylated hemoglobin in a timely manner. The higher the sugar level in your blood, the higher the risk of getting cardiovascular illnesses, strokes, and kidney diseases.
How do we perform the HbA1C test?
Before taking the test, first you have to inform the doctor about all the medicines that you have been consuming over the past months. The basic test framework goes to measure the average amount of glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood over three months, since the RBC claims a life span of just three months. A baseline HbA1C test is advised for people at or above the age of 45 years.
When we do HbA1C tests, we are tracking the amount of sugar attached to red blood cells. The glycosylated haemoglobin test is additionally recommended to anyone who has the following symptoms:
- Obesity
- Physically stagnant
- Hypertension &
- Cardiovascular ailments
Tips to interpret the result of the HbA1C test
Here are some values that need to be understood in great detail before looking at the reading of your blood sugar content.
Tip 1: Understanding the normal range
We know that haemoglobin is an essential component of every functioning system of the human body. Therefore, it is absolutely normal to have a haemoglobin level below 5.7%. That means your blood sugar range is normal. Likewise, between 5.7 and 6.4, it shows that you are prediabetic, meaning that you have a tendency to develop diabetes in the near future; more than 6.5 is equivalent to having diabetes, which is something that needs to be taken care of. Thus, we should start controlling our diet at the first sign of diabetes.
Tip 2: Understanding factors that affect the reading
Several factors, like sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and pregnancy, could contribute to erroneous results of our glycosylated haemoglobin level.
Other factors with the same implication include excessive levels of cholesterol and the intake of Vitamin C and E supplements.
Tip 3: After getting your results, dial up the doctor if any of these symptoms arise.
- Pain
- swelling and redness
- Continuous bleeding and discharge
Continue reading to get more information about the test.
How do you lower your HbA1C?
Below are some enhanced routine habits that can drastically improve your haemoglobin results.
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Losing weight
Studies reveal that weight loss of around 5–7% in individuals can lower their risk of having Type II diabetes, especially in those who are already susceptible to developing high-risk diabetes. If you are already in the category of Type II diabetics, your doctor may allow you to cut down on medications by losing weight and improving your health.
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Stress management
Managing stress can be a bit of a hassle if you do not know how to do it properly. Stress is shown to have larger implications on blood glucose levels because of the following reason: when a person is under intense stress, he or she either tries to put up a front and fight hard or tries to escape from it via other means like reading, listening to music, etc.
However, whenever stress happens in the body, it releases a hormone known as cortisol, which has the ability to shoot up the glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood. This enhances the risk of developing pre-diabetes.
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Physical workout or exercise
Our body has an inbuilt capacity for producing a slew of hormones. One of these hormones, called insulin, aids in the movement of glucose from the blood to your cells for energy to carry out various activities.
However, with diabetes, this movement is thwarted because the pancreas fails to provide enough insulin for the body to show any response to it. It is a condition called insulin resistance, leading to an increased level of blood sugar in your blood.
What the exercise does is very simple. It kickstarts your insulin supply and thus keeps your glycosylated hemoglobin level at bay. Doing physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week will be enough for the system to work efficiently. You can also incorporate dancing, swimming, brisk walking, and cycling into your routine.
Final Overview
These are some of the productive ways in which your health can be taken care of. I hope this article has helped you understand the essential aspects of a glycosylated haemoglobin test. Watch this space for more content.
