A lot is written about HbA1c and a plethora of information about HbA1c is available for netizens. As a diabetologist, I would like to explain this to you in a slightly more simplistic manner. Hba1c is like a CCTV of our office, it records everything that you eat (the glucose content of the food). It records everything for 3 months and it is unbiased… So, it will record everything, the small dessert you had, the cheat meal you gorged and practically everything.
There are so many tests these packages offer. So should I go for an HbA1c?
You may need an HbA1c test if you have symptoms of diabetes. These include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
Your health care provider may also order an HbA1c test if you are at higher risk for getting diabetes. Risk factors include:
- Being overweight or obese
- High blood pressure
- History of heart disease
- Physical inactivity
It is a very important tool to know if your diabetes management plan (lifestyle modification and medicines) are on the right track or not. Interpretation of results:
- Normal: HbA1c below 5.7%
- Prediabetes: HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4
- Diabetes: HbA1c of 6.5% or higher
In known diabetic patients, the following values can be considered as a tool for monitoring gly