Thread by @ShreyaShah22

HbA1c-The blood sugar test

Managing a lifestyle disease like diabetes,
is all about keeping blood sugar levels under control.

What is HbA1c? How frequently do u monitor it?
How to keep ur blood sugar in check?

A🧵 thread on all you need to know about HbA1c 👇

🩸HbA1c refers to glycosylated hemoglobin , a vital component of red blood cells that binds with glucose.

An HbA1c test is a blood test that gives you average blood sugar or glucose levels over the past two to three months.

Sugar or glucose in the blood binds to hemoglobin, a type of protein found in the red blood cells (RBCs). As your blood sugar levels increase, more hemoglobin gets attached to glucose

Therefore, an HbA1c test measures the number of RBCs that contain glucose-coated hemoglobin. For this reason, an HbA1c test is also called a glycated hemoglobin test.

Since the life of RBCs is 120 days, an HbA1c test gives an average blood sugar level of the past 2-3 months.

🩸Diagnostic criteria for Diabetes👇

🩸The ideal HbA1c u need to maintain if ur living with Diabetes
🔺HbA1c is a useful tool to determine if u maintain ur blood sugar levels as per the target.

🔺Your target HbA1c may vary depending on age, comorbidities&complications. The target HbA1c is higher for the elderly.

🔺For most people with diabetes, the HbA1c target is <7%.

🔺For elderly patients or those with other serious illnesses, the target can be relaxed to <8%.

🔺Younger individuals and those with recently detected diabetes can strive for more stringent targets (<6.0%).

🩸Advantages of HbA1c testing?
🔺HbA1c level indicates the diabetes control status over the last 2 to 3 months

🔺One can test HbA1c anytime. No fasting is required before you give your blood samples.

🔺HbA1c Level is also not affected by
-Time of meal intake
-Exercise

🩸How frequently should I monitor?
🔺All patients with diabetes should check their HbA1c regularly, preferably once every 3 months

🔺Individuals with stable, well-controlled diabetes can test less frequently as advised by their physician.

🔺Regular testing of HbA1c ensures that one is aware of the level of diabetes control and takes the right steps to control diabetes and avoid complications.

🩸When is an HbA1c Level Test not Helpful?
🔺Sickle cell anemia,
🔺Thalassemia,
🔺And Hb E Disease.

🔺In these situations, it is advisable to perform self-monitoring of blood sugar levels and keep your sugar under control.

🩸Limitations of HbA1c Test
Though HbA1c is the most reliable test in order to diagnose or check your average blood sugar control, it has a few limitations:

🔺False High or Low Results:
When an individual has anemia or other hemoglobinopathies, HbA1C is undetected.

🔺Pregnancy
HbA1c levels are not dependable during pregnancy; therefore, other tests like fasting or oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) are used.

🩸Here is a complete guide on
🔺What is diabetes
🔺How to manage high blood sugar(diabetes) with dietary & lifestyle changes

https://x.com/ShreyaShah22/status/1757351623460859998?s=20

🩸 Conclusion
The HbA1c test is an important tool for managing diabetes & preventing complications.

It is a simple blood test that can provide valuable information about your blood sugar management over time.

🩸 Conclusion
The HbA1c test is an important tool for managing diabetes & preventing complications.

It is a simple blood test that can provide valuable information about your blood sugar management over time.