Diabetes is an insidious disease, so it is important to understand, glycosylated hemoglobin - what is this indicator and how to correctly pass such an analysis. The results help the doctor to conclude whether the person has a blood sugar level or everything is normal, that is, he is healthy.
Glycosylated hemoglobin - what is it?
It is designated HbA1C. This biochemical indicator, the results of which indicate the concentration of glucose in the blood. The analyzed period is the last 3 months. HbA1C is considered a more informative index than the hematest for sugar content. The result, which shows glycated hemoglobin, is expressed as a percentage. He points to the share of "sugar" compounds in the total volume of red blood cells. High indicators suggest that the person has diabetes, moreover, the disease is in severe form.
The analysis for glycosylated hemoglobin has many advantages:
- The study can be conducted without binding to a certain time of the day, and do not necessarily on an empty stomach;
- the results of this analysis are not affected by infectious diseases and increased stress;
- such a study allows early detection of diabetes and timely initiation of therapy;
- the analysis helps to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the ongoing treatment for diabetes mellitus.
However, this method of investigating the shortcomings is not devoid of this:
- high cost - it has a considerable price in comparison with the analysis for revealing the indicator of sugar;
- at a lowered level of thyroid hormones, HbA1C increases, although in this case the human blood glucose level is small;
- in patients with anemia, the results are distorted;
- if a person takes vitamin C and E, the result is deceptively small.
Glycosylated hemoglobin - how to take?
Many laboratories conducting such a study take blood samples on an empty stomach. This makes it easier for specialists to carry out the analysis. Although eating does not distort the results, but that the blood is taken not on an empty stomach, you must tell. The analysis for glycosylated hemoglobin can be done both from the vein and from the finger (it all depends on the model of the analyzer). In most cases, the results of the study are ready after 3-4 days.
If within the limits of the norm there is an indicator, the subsequent analysis to hand over it is possible in 1-3 years. When diabetes is only detected, a second study is recommended in six months. If the patient is already on the account of an endocrinologist and he is prescribed therapy, it is recommended to take the analysis every 3 months. Such a frequency will provide objective information about a person's condition and evaluate the effectiveness of a prescribed treatment regimen.
Analysis for glycated hemoglobin - preparation
This research is unique in its kind. In order to pass a blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin, you do not need to prepare. However, the following factors can somewhat distort the result (reduce it):
- bleeding;
- hemodialysis.
Analysis for glycosylated (glycated) hemoglobin is better to take in laboratories equipped with modern equipment. Thanks to this, the result will be more accurate. It should be noted that the studies conducted in different laboratories in most cases give different indicators. This is because different diagnostic methods are used in medical centers. It is desirable to take tests in a tested laboratory.
Determination of glycosylated hemoglobin
To this day, there is no single standard that would be used by medical laboratories. The definition of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood is carried out by such methods:
- liquid chromatography;
- immunoturbodimetry;
- ion-exchange chromatography;
- nephelometric analysis.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is the norm
This indicator has no age or sex differentiation. The norm of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood for adults and children is unified. It ranges from 4% to 6%. Indicators that are higher or lower indicate a pathology. If you analyze more specifically, this is what glycosylated hemoglobin shows:
- HbA1C ranges from 4% to 5.7% - a person is in the right order of carbohydrate metabolism. The likelihood of developing diabetes is negligible.
- The indicator of 5.7% -6.0% - such results indicate that the patient has a growing risk of pathology. Treatment is not required, but the doctor will recommend taking a low-carb diet.
- HbA1C ranges from 6.1% to 6.4% - the risk of developing diabetes is great. The patient should reduce the amount of carbohydrates consumed as soon as possible and adhere to other doctor's recommendations.
- If the indicator is 6.5% - preliminary diagnose "diabetes mellitus." To confirm it, an additional examination is appointed.
If an analysis of glycosylated hemoglobin is given in pregnant women, the norm in this case is the same as for the rest of the people. However, this indicator can vary throughout the period of gestation of the baby. The reasons that provoke such jumps:
- anemia in women ;
- too large a fruit;
- kidney dysfunction.
Glycosylated hemoglobin elevated
If this indicator is more than normal, this indicates serious problems occurring in the body. High glycosylated hemoglobin is more often accompanied by such symptoms:
- loss of vision;
- prolonged healing of wounds;
- thirst;
- a sharp decrease or increase in weight;
- deterioration of immunity;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- decay and drowsiness;
- worsening of the liver.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is above normal - what does it mean?
The increase in this indicator is caused by the following reasons:
- failure in carbohydrate metabolism;
- factors not related to the level of sugar.
Blood for glycosylated hemoglobin will show that the figure is above the norm, here are the cases:
- in diabetes mellitus - due to the fact that the process of splitting carbohydrates is broken and the level of glucose increases;
- when poisoning with alcohol;
- if the patient suffering from diabetes mellitus is incorrectly prescribed treatment;
- with iron deficiency anemia;
- after blood transfusion;
- with uremia, when there is a scraping of carbogemoglobin - a substance that, in its properties and structure, is very similar to HbA1C;
- if the patient has a spleen removed - the body responsible for the disposal of deceased red blood cells.
Glycated hemoglobin is elevated - what should I do?
Normalize the level of HbA1C will help the following recommendations:
- Enrichment of the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean fish, legumes, yogurt. It is necessary to minimize the consumption of fatty foods, desserts.
- Protect yourself from stress, which adversely affects the general condition of the body.
- At least half an hour a day to engage in physical education. Thanks to this, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin will decrease and overall well-being will improve.
- Regularly visit the doctor and conduct all the prescribed tests.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is downgraded
If this indicator is less than the norm, it is as dangerous as its increase. Low glycosylated hemoglobin (less than 4%) can be provoked by the following factors:
- severe blood loss, which was recently carried over;
- dysfunction of the pancreas;
- hypoglycemia ;
- hepatic insufficiency ;
- pathologies, in which premature destruction of erythrocytes occurs.