Glycosylated hemoglobin is a red blood cell that has absorbed glucose from the bloodstream. Testing for glycosylated hemoglobin can determine average blood glucose levels over time for people with diabetes. Elevated concentrations may indicate future health complications, such as blindness and kidney disease. Medications, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise can lower blood sugar levels and improve circulation. Testing is recommended twice a year for people with well-regulated diabetes.
Glycosylated hemoglobin, also known as glycated hemoglobin, is a red blood cell that has absorbed free-floating glucose from the bloodstream. Glucose, or sugar, binds to a protein called heme inside cells in a non-reversible process called glycation. A test showing the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin can be done to determine the amount of sugar in the blood over the entire life of a red blood cell, which is usually about 120 days. This information allows a doctor to determine the average blood glucose levels over time of a person with diabetes.
All people have a percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin circulating in their blood. The average person will show a four to five percent concentration on the test results. A person with diabetes will typically have a result greater than seven percent.
Testing for glycosylated hemoglobin is called a diabetes control index, a hemoglobin A1c test, or an HbA1c measurement. Blood is drawn to measure a person’s levels of glycosylated hemoglobin. The most common complaint after the test is bruising or tenderness at the sampling site. Over-the-counter pain relievers and an ice pack on the area can help relieve pain and swelling.
Testing is recommended twice a year for people with well-regulated diabetes. People who don’t have stable sugar levels may need to be tested up to four times a year. Testing may also be ordered to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.
Elevated concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin may indicate the risk of future health complications from diabetes. More people with consistently high percentages of glycosylated hemoglobin experience damage to the small blood vessels in the body. This damage can lead to blindness and kidney disease. Some people experience numbness or tingling sensations in their arms and legs due to diabetic neuropathy.
A common complication of diabetes is slow wound healing, especially in the extremities. High blood sugar levels can cause poor blood circulation throughout the body. Without an adequate blood supply, tissue is unable to heal and can become infected and necrotize or die. Surgical debridement of the infected area or amputation of dying tissue may be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading.
Medications, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise can lower blood sugar levels and improve circulation over time. The decrease in available sugar in the blood will cause a decrease in the percentages of glycosylated hemoglobin. An accurate representation of average blood sugar levels cannot be determined by testing within three months of a change in diet or exercise.
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