For diabetics, testing blood sugar levels should be a regular part of their treatment program. In the management of diabetes, A1C level testing is among the most accurate forms of understanding insulin needs and gauging how well the disease is being managed. Unlike at home blood tests, the A1C test is administered by your doctor and sent to a lab, testing blood glucose levels over a span of about two to three months, giving an average. The test should be used in conjunction with daily at home tests. What the A1C tests specifically is glycated hemoglobin (A1C). Hemoglobin is a protein found in blood plasma and is responsible for transporting oxygen to cells. In the presence of sugar hemoglobin becomes glycated (coated in sugar) with glycated hemoglobin levels rising in relation to blood sugar over an extended period.
What A1C Level Indicates: Diabetes Diagnosis
Since 2010 the American Diabetes Association has recommended that an A1C test be used in order to screen for and diagnose pre diabetes, type 1 and 2 diabetes. Unlike other tests that can be used to diagnose diabetes, the A1C does not require ay preparation on part of the patient, greatly reducing the margin of error. Because some level of glucose is always present in the blood, a normal person without diabetes will have glycated hemoglobin levels of about 4.5-6%. For an individual with uncontrolled diabetes A1C level may reach above 9%. Diagnosis is determined by two separately administered tests with any level above 6.5% considered diabetes and 5.7-6.4% considered pre diabetes. The target A1C level for diabetics is 7% or less, corresponding to a blood glucose level of 150 mg/dL (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/a1c-test/MY00142/DSECTION=results).
Diabetes A1C Level Testing Frequency
Following diagnosis the A1C test is used to establish a baseline A1C level. The frequency of testing depends on the type of diabetes you have and whether or not you use insulin and keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. The following are recommendations; your doctor must establish your personal needs. The ADA outlines twice yearly testing for type 2 patients without insulin therapy and good glucose levels. Three to four times a year is good for type 1 patients as well as for type 2 patients who are using insulin and have difficulty managing their glucose levels.
In some cases the A1C test may not be accurate. Several factors may negatively effect results: chronic bleeding reduces hemoglobin levels resulting in a low count; iron deficiency will yield falsely high results; a rare form of hemoglobin variant most common in black, Southeast Asian, and Mediterranean populations requires specialized testing to assure a reliable result.
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