Q: I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. On a recent blood test, something called hba1c was elevated. What is the hba1c and what does it measure?
A: The HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin)
test measures the amount
of glucose that attaches to red
blood cells. The higher your blood
glucose level, the more sugar your
blood cells will accumulate over
time. Because the typical life span
of red blood cells is 90 to 120 days,
the HbA1c test reflects your average
blood glucose level over that
time period. As a result, it measures
how well your blood sugar has
been controlled over a period of a
few months. While daily bloodsugar
checks are important to help
you regulate your glucose levels
throughout the day, the HbA1c test
helps your doctor determine
whether your overall treatment
program is effective in the longterm.
HbA1c levels also help predict
your risk of diabetes-related
complications such as heart disease,
stroke, renal failure and
visual problems. For individuals
without diabetes, HbA1c values
range from four to six percent.
Individuals with diabetes should
strive to achieve HbA1c values
below seven percent.
Source: Dr. Cedric X. Bryant, ACE's Chief Science Officer; ACE FitnessMatters, Jan/Feb 2005.
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