What is a Normal HbA1c Level?

Did you know that nearly 1 in 10 adults in India has diabetes? Many don’t even know they’re at risk. The HbA1c test can reveal your average blood sugar levels over three months, helping diagnose diabetes or prediabetes early. It’s a simple way to stay on top of your health.

How does an A1c test work?

You can find out your average blood sugar level during the last two to three months by taking the haemoglobin A1c test. Other names for it include glycohemoglobin, the glycated haemoglobin test, and HbA1c. It is comparable to a baseball player's batting average for the season. You cannot determine a player's career performance from a single game. Similar to this, test results from a single day don't fully reflect accurate results. 

Your doctor can assess whether you have diabetes based on the results of your A1c test. Additionally, prediabetes—a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes is also diagnosed using this method. If your A1c readings are high enough to indicate either diabetes or prediabetes, but you don’t have symptoms of either, your doctor may schedule another A1c test on a separate day to confirm the diagnosis. To check if their levels remain within range, people with diabetes require this test regularly. It can determine whether your diabetic medication has to be adjusted. Book your test today. 

What does glucose (blood sugar) mean?

Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, gives your body's cells energy so they can function. The sugar, fibre, starch, and other carbs in your diet are the main sources of your blood sugar. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, aids in the absorption of blood sugar by your cells for use as fuel or storage for later. Your blood sugar is kept at a healthy level by that process. This mechanism is disturbed in people with diabetes, and if therapy is not received, your blood sugar level stays elevated.

How does the A1C test work?

The sugar found in your blood is known as glucose. When glucose accumulates in your bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells. The A1c test determines how much glucose is bound.

Red blood cells live for around three months, therefore the test measures the average level of glucose in your blood during the last three months.

Blood taken from a vein:

• You will be seated while a phlebotomist (a health care provider trained to collect blood samples) looks for an easily accessible vein in your arm. A typical location is your inside arm, near the elbow bend.
• After locating and cleaning the vein, they will insert a needle and extract blood into a test tube.
• They will withdraw the needle once the tube has filled with enough blood.
• The blood sample will then be forwarded to the laboratory for analysis.

Blood is taken from a finger prick:

• You select which finger you want to be utilized.
• A healthcare professional will clean and disinfect the chosen finger.
• Then they'll pierce your finger with a little needle known as a lancet.
• They will then press your finger until a drop of blood develops.
• That drop of blood will be placed in a test container and evaluated.

When to get an A1c test?

An A1c test may be required for a variety of reasons, including the presence of diabetes symptoms. Symptoms include:

1. Extreme thirst
2. More frequent urge to urinate
3. Blurred vision
4. Unexpected weight loss
5. Constantly feeling weary
6. Dry skin

If you do not have these symptoms, you may be given an A1c test to screen for diabetes as part of a standard doctor's visit, such as a physical. Several factors influence when you should initially have your A1c checked and how frequently the test should be done. Keep in mind that different health groups make varied recommendations on when diabetes screening should begin. 

You should have your A1c checked if:

• You are 45 years or older, even if there is no reason to believe you have diabetes.
• You are under 45 years old, overweight or obese, and have at least one prediabetes or diabetes risk factor, such as a family history of diabetes, or you participate in physical activity less than three times per week.

How frequently should you get an A1c test?

If your original test results were normal, get tested every three years.

• Over 45 years old and at risk for diabetes.
• If you ever had gestational diabetes.
• If your initial findings indicate prediabetes, have it tested every 1-2 years, or as often as your doctor recommends.
• Ask your doctor about lifestyle changes you may make to avoid developing diabetes.

If you test positive for prediabetes or diabetes but do not exhibit symptoms, your doctor will repeat the test on a separate day to confirm the results.

After your doctor confirms your diagnosis, you will have an A1c test twice a year or more. Your testing schedule is determined by a variety of factors, including medication changes, underlying health concerns, and how effectively your diabetes is managed. For example, if you struggle to keep your blood sugar within a reasonable level, you may require an A1c test four times each year.

How should I prepare for an A1C test?

This one is simple. You need to do nothing to prepare for your A1c test.

Does an A1C test require me to fast?

You can eat and drink as usual because you are not required to fast before the exam. However, more preparation could be needed if you have other blood tests scheduled simultaneously. Consult your physician.

Levels of A1C

The typical range for the HbA1c level in individuals without diabetes is 4% to 5.6%. You have prediabetes and an increased risk of developing diabetes if your levels fall between 5.7% and 6.4%. If your level is 6.5% or over, you have diabetes.

What is the risk level of A1C?

If your A1c levels rise above 9%, you are more likely to have serious diabetic complications. The complications include:

• Vision loss or blindness.
• Kidney failure.
• Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, mostly affects the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
• Heart illness.
• Stroke can cause gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach is unable to properly digest food.

How can I lower my A1c levels?

The desired A1c level for diabetics is typically less than 7%. The higher your hemoglobin A1c level, the greater your chance of developing diabetes complications. Someone who has had untreated diabetes for a long time may have a level higher than 8%.

A mix of diet, exercise, and medication can help you achieve your target A1c level. If you use insulin or blood sugar-lowering medications, your doctor will advise you on the optimal dose and timing for managing your blood sugar levels. Changes in your food and exercise habits, on the other hand, may influence how much diabetes medicine you require because both have an impact on your blood sugar level. Here are some ways to manage your diabetes and exercise safely.

A1C Test at Home

You do not need to visit your doctor's office to take your A1c test. You can do it from home. For some people, particularly those who live in rural locations far from a health care provider, home health checkup with TruePal are a welcome alternative to driving to the doctor's office. Their use increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, as telemedicine gained widespread popularity. Some at-home A1c tests, known as rapid tests, provide findings in a few minutes, while others require you to submit your blood sample to a facility for examination. Mail-in test results typically take several days to arrive.

Here are some simple tips to help you prepare. Make sure to thoroughly read and adhere to the directions that come with your kit because each test will differ somewhat from the others.

For rapid tests

1. Before testing, wash and pat dry your hands.

2. To extract blood, prick your finger with the lancet, also known as a needle.

3. Take a sample using the collecting device that came with your test kit.

4. Place the collection inside the shaker apparatus that contains the test solution.

5. Give it a few shakes to mix the testing solution with your blood sample.

6. Place the shaker inside the analyzer that comes with your test container.

7. After five minutes, examine the outcome.

Regarding mail-in tests:

• Wash your hands in warm water.
• Choose which finger you will use.
• Let your finger dry after cleaning it with the alcohol swab that came with your kit.
• Pierce your finger with the lancet provided in your kit.
• Massage, but do not squeeze, your finger to stimulate blood flow.
• Tap the blood droplets on the interior of the collection tube that came with your kit and fill to the specified line on the side.
• Close the tube tightly and shake it up and down ten times to fully mix the sample.
• Place the tube in the biohazard bag that came with your kit, seal it, and mail it in the accompanying envelope.
• Send it back the same day.

What are the risk factors associated with the A1C test?

The A1c test, like other blood tests, carries no significant dangers. The area where the blood was drawn may become sore or bruised, although this usually heals rapidly.

What are some limitations of A1c Tests?

The A1c test is a useful tool for detecting and controlling diabetes, but it isn't ideal. As previously stated, it is not always correct. Another shortcoming is that it does not show how your blood sugar levels change during the day, week, and month. Such changes are especially typical in people with type 1 diabetes. Because the test only provides an average blood sugar level for the past three months, your results may be the same whether your blood sugar varies significantly or remains consistent.

Why is this important? 

Maintaining your blood sugar level close to your target range should be your aim. You can see more clearly how successfully you control your diabetes on a daily and weekly basis by looking at your "time in range" numbers. However, that is not what the A1c was intended to do. A continuous glucose monitor, which measures your blood sugar levels around the clock, is necessary to track these minute details.

Takeaways

The A1c test measures your blood sugar levels over the past three months. It is essential for diabetes diagnosis and management. If you have diabetes, you should do an A1c test at least twice a year. However, keep in mind that certain health conditions and other factors can impair its accuracy. You may need to use extra tools, such as a continuous glucose monitor, to keep track of your blood sugar levels daily.

FAQs

1. What is considered a normal HbA1c level?
A normal HbA1c level is between 4% to 5.6%. Levels above 5.7% indicate prediabetes or diabetes. The A1c test determines the percentage of blood sugar in your system. The normal range, which indicates you do not have diabetes, is less than 5.7%. Regardless of your age, the typical range remains constant.

2. How is HbA1c different from regular blood sugar tests?
HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over 3 months, while regular tests measure current sugar levels.

3. Can HbA1c levels vary by individual factors?
Yes, factors like anaemia, pregnancy, or certain medications can affect HbA1c results.

4. How accurate is the HbA1c test?
It’s reliable but may not reflect daily fluctuations in blood sugar levels.