physician | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

Hemoglobin A1C Test for Diabetics

When it comes to managing diabetes effectively the key is proper glucose management, and the best way to check the efficiency of the patient’s glucose management regimen is with the hemoglobin a1c test. Most diabetics are familiar with checking their blood sugar by glucometer, sometimes many times daily.

So How Does the Hemoglobin A1C Test Work?

The glucometer measures the level of glucose in a drop of blood which is placed on a test strip and read by the machine. The hemoglobin a1c is also a blood test which measures the average glucose levels over a long term period.

Hemoglobin is a protein based, iron containing component in red blood cells that is primarily responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs and transferring it around the body to be used by the cells. Glucose also binds to some hemoglobin and stays bound to it for the length of the life of the red blood cells which is about 120 days.

The hemoglobin a1c test measures the amount of glucose bound to the red blood cells in this manner and therefore can give the physician a very good average of the patient’s average blood glucose level for as far back as the previous three to four months.

Since proper management of glucose levels is key to diabetes treatment and glucose levels should be kept as close to normal as possible twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, day and night, the hemoglobin a1c test is an invaluable aid.

People without diabetes have and A1C of less than 6 per cent. An A1C of more than 8 per cent suggests persistently elevated glucose levels.

You should aim to keep your A1C as low as possible, especially if you are young, but also to reduce your risk of hypoglycaemia. Your own targets should take into account your age, lifestyle, work practices, life expectancy, risk of diabetes complications and side effects and a host of other factors.

The diabetic patient may check their sugar many times daily, but only the hemoglobin a1c test can give and average which includes round the clock glucose levels.

Diabetes Maintenance with Hemoglobin A1C Test

By using the hemoglobin a1c test the patient and physician can work together to make the type of medication, diet, and lifestyle changes which will keep the patient’s blood glucose level as normal as possible, as much as possible.

Managing your glucose levels requires teamwork in which you are the central player. The best way to stay in control is to harness the support of your diabetes care team. Involve your whole family and work mates as a team to optimize your diet, organise activities and improve everyone’s health!

Find out more about good EXERCISE for Diabetics HERE!

What are the acceptable blood glucose levels?

Do you know what the acceptable blood glucose levels really are? Many people who suffer from diabetes wonder what a normal life would be without the constant checking and monitoring of their acceptable blood glucose level. When you or a loved one is told that you have diabetes, it is from the result that your body isn’t producing enough insulin or that your cells are not responding in a normal fashion with the rest of your body which means that a unacceptable blood glucose level would not be okay for your body and can even become toxic and result in death.

Normal blood glucose readings

A normal blood glucose reading may seem nearly impossible to obtain but with the right amount of diet and exercise anyone can achieve one. A blood glucose test measures the amount of a certain type of sugar called glucose which is in your blood. Glucose almost always comes from starchy foods such as carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy that is used most often by the body. This is why most diabetics have to have routine diabetic screenings which will monitor their blood sugar readings after meals which will show what types of foods give them high amounts of glucose. Diabetes readings are key and essential in being able to control diabetes.

Have you ever looked at a blood glucose levels chart?

A blood glucose levels chart, what is it and how does it work? A blood glucose levels chart is a great little, handy tool that all the doctor’s offices have as well as hospital physicians, medical clinics and drug stores. Did you know that you can have one in your home as well?

A blood glucose levels chart is a great little chart that shows you clearly what a normal fasting blood sugar levels chart is, as well as readings after eating. There are many various types of charts available such as a fasting blood sugar levels chart, A1C chart, diabetes glucose levels chart, and a normal blood glucose level chart which all allow you to clearly read and measure where your blood glucose levels should be for various times throughout the day.

Glucose Intolerance Test?

If you have a family history of diabetes chances are that at some point you will have to take a glucose intolerance test. If your doctor recommends a glucose intolerance test, don’t worry, it isn’t the kind of test you have to study for or really even the kind of test you can fail. A glucose intolerance test is designed to test the way your body metabolizes the glucose (sugars) that you ingest.

The most common type of glucose intolerance test is the oral glucose tolerance test. For this test you will usually be asked to fast for several hours before the test begins. Upon arriving for your test your blood sugar will be checked, then you will be given a glucose solution to drink. You blood will then are sampled at intervals after you have ingested the glucose solution so that the doctor can see how well your body manages the glucose.