Hemoglobin Blood Test
The hemoglobin blood test is a routine procedure that will be administered and interpreted by your doctor. The hemoglobin blood test is usually
performed two to three times a year and is used to measure the long-term levels of success you are having with your plan to live with diabetes. Your doctor will take a
small sample of blood (usually from the fingertip), and the hemoglobin blood test measures the amount of hemoglobin found within your red blood cells, giving the
results in percentages. As is the case with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a good reading for the hemoglobin blood test is typically 7% or less. If your hemoglobin
blood test falls below this number, it is an indication that your diabetes is probably under control, and the plan you are on is working well for you. A percentage of more
than 7% shown in a hemoglobin blood test indicates a possible problem with your program, and you and your doctor might have to take bolder steps to reduce this level.
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), an important recent study about diabetes showed that a regular hemoglobin blood test could help to reduce your
risk of complications including eye, kidney and nerve damage caused by your diabetes. Used in combination with other specific monitoring and periodic evaluations, the
hemoglobin blood test will help you to better understand the extent of your diabetic condition, and live a rewarding life free from
complications.????
Please be aware that this page on a hemoglobin blood test is meant for informational purposes only; please
consult a physician for more specific questions pertaining to individual cases.
