Glucose is a type of sugar found in the blood that comes from the food a person eats. The body's cells use glucose for energy, with the help of a hormone called "insulin," which facilitates glucose entering the cells.
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In cases of diabetes, according to CNN Arabic citing MedlinePlus (a website operated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine), the body either does not produce enough insulin or its cells cannot use it efficiently. As a result, glucose cannot enter the cells, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Glucose in the blood binds to hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. As blood glucose levels rise, the amount of hemoglobin attached to glucose increases. The HbA1c test measures the percentage of red blood cells that have glucose-bound hemoglobin.
The HbA1c test reflects a person’s average blood glucose level over the past three months, because glucose remains attached to hemoglobin for the entire lifespan of red blood cells, which live for about three months.
High HbA1c levels indicate elevated blood glucose due to diabetes, which can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
However, blood glucose levels can be managed through treatment and lifestyle modifications.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking the HbA1c test to screen for diabetes and prediabetes under the following conditions:
- If a person is over 45 years old: If the results are normal, the specialist physician will recommend how often to retest based on age and risk factors. If the results indicate prediabetes, the person will typically need to be tested every one to two years. The doctor can advise on testing frequency and steps to lower diabetes risk. If the results indicate diabetes, the HbA1c test should be conducted at least twice a year to monitor the condition and the effectiveness of treatment.
- If a person is under 45 years old, but at a higher risk of developing diabetes due to:
1. Having prediabetes
2. Being overweight or obese
3. Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
4. High blood pressure or high cholesterol levels
5. A history of heart disease or stroke
6. Engaging in physical activity less than 3 times a week
7. A history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing over approximately 4 kg
8. Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
A person also needs an HbA1c test if they display symptoms of diabetes, such as:
1. Extreme thirst
2. Frequent urination
3. Unintentional weight loss
4. Extreme hunger
5. Blurred vision
6. Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
7. Fatigue
8. Dry skin
8. Slow-healing sores or wounds
9. Frequent and unusual infections
Resource: Al-Ghad.
