When you're diagnosed with diabetes, your physician may tell you she wants to preform a hemoglobin blood test. A hemoglobin blood test - also called a hemoglobin A1c test, HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, or glycohemoglobin test - is a simple way of measuring how high your blood glucose levels have been over the last six to 12 weeks.
This simple blood test requires no preparation on your part, and is relatively easy to perform. After examining the results of a hemoglobin blood test, your physician will be able to gauge how well your diabetes is under control. This valuable information will allow her to better adjust your medications, and make any other necessary treatment recommendations.
How a Diabetes Hemoglobin Blood Test Works
If your blood sugar rises too high, glucose will start to collect in your blood stream. The excess glucose then adheres to the hemoglobins in your blood, leaving them coated in glucose (glycated).
The hemoglobin blood test measures your A1C levels, which is an indicator of how glycated your hemoglobins are. The higher your blood sugars have been, the larger your A1C level will be. For example, a healthy person will have an A1C level 4-6%. Similarly, a diabetic skilled at keeping his blood sugar within the normal range will have an A1C level of 7% or less. Only diabetics with erratic blood sugar will have an A1C level higher than 7%, which is a sign that medical or lifestyle changes may be needed.
Why Low A1C Levels are Important
If you have a blood test, hemoglobin A1C levels higher than 7% are considered cause for concern. Studies have repeatedly shown that higher blood sugar levels make diabetics far more likely to experience a wide range of negative side effects. Conditions associated with high blood sugar and A1C levels include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, eye problems, neurological issues, and more.
How to Improve Your Hemoglobin Blood Test Results
If your hemoglobin blood test results are higher than they should be, there are things you can do to bring them back down. One simple thing you can do is talk to your physician about your medication; it's possible you may not be taking the right dosage or medicine for your lifestyle. Another easy thing you can do is to start exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days week. Even that small amount of moderate exercise can have a significant effect on your body's ability to absorb glucose, effectively lowering your A1C levels. You may also want to consider speaking to a licensed dietician, in order to discover if there's any way your diet could be negatively affecting your glucose levels. You may be eating meals at the wrong times, or you may be consuming too many non-diabetic friendly foods. A consultation with a dietician can help you get your diet back on the right track and keep your blood sugars close to the normal range.
Until you get your blood sugar under control, make appointments to have a hemoglobin blood test done every three months. This will help your physician keep track of your progress and make sure you're staying healthy. When you do get your blood sugar under control, you'll be able to take hemoglobin blood tests just twice a year. However, no matter how stable your blood sugar becomes, it's important to remember that a hemoglobin blood test is no substitute for day-to-day blood monitoring. A hemoglobin blood test is meant to compliment regular blood glucose monitoring, not replace it.