A hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), test is a blood test that provides information about an average number of your blood sugar (glucose) over the final two to three months. Glucose is that specific sugar contained in your blood which is produced in your body from the foods that you take. Glucose is what provides your cells with energy.

There is a hormone called insulin that helps to get the glucose into your cells. If an individual has diabetes, the body fails to produce adequate amounts of insulin, or in most cases not use the insulin available to the body wherever possible. Accordingly, glucose will therefore not gain access to your cells that make the blood sugar levels to increase.

What is an HbA1c Test?

HbA1c test or the glycated hemoglobin test is the two-three months test of your blood sugar. HbA1c is the abbreviation of the levels of Hemoglobin A1c levels, which are a type of hemoglobin that is attached to glucose. The test monitors the amount of sugar that is attached to your red blood cells and is used in ascertaining how well your blood glucose has been controlled for a long period.

Whereas a normal Blood sugar control test provides a snapshot of your amount of glucose at an instant in time, the HbA1c test provides a bigger picture. The test is a legitimate test and is performed in Diabetes diagnosis test and treatment. Since red cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days, the test employs a mean of your blood glucose level spanning a 2-3 month period.

This fasting blood glucose test is very handy in the sense that it may be performed at any time of day and does not require fasting beforehand. It is among the most handy means of testing Long-term glucose monitoring.

Why is the HbA1c Test Ordered?

Physicians prescribe the HbA1c test for diabetes to track blood glucose control in diabetic patients or to screen for prediabetes. Importance of HbA1c test is most frequently to:

  • Diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes
  • Track drug effect and treatment regimen
  • Identify prediabetes
  • Track control of lifestyle modification
People with a history of symptoms like increased urination, increased thirst, or weakness are typically asked to have this test done. High HbA1c levels persisting for long periods may lead to serious diseases like nerve damage, kidney disease, and heart disease.

HbA1c test also comes in handy to confirm how you have been managing diabetes over the past. If your test results are too Low HbA1c levels or too high, it instructs you to alter your diet or drug regimen.

Preparation for HbA1c Test

Preparation for HbA1c is minimal. You don't have to fast or follow a diet, and you can take it at any time of the day. But make sure to tell them about your medical history that can influence the test.
When you are to come to get the test:

  • Take medicines as usual
  • Tell your doctor about any anemia or hemoglobin disorder
  • Wear loose clothing to allow easy access to blood
Kidney disease, recent transfusion of blood, or anemia must be reported to the physician since they are interfering with the results. Inform a full history of medicine to allow proper interpretation of your test.

HbA1c Test Procedure

HbA1c test procedure is quick, and it is an easy test. It will most likely be done in a clinic, hospital, or lab. Your arm will have a small blood sample taken by a health professional using a needle. In some cases, finger prick test can prove to be sufficient, that is, in point-of-care devices fitted in clinics.
How it is performed:

  • A lab technician will swab the site with an antiseptic
  • A very thin needle is inserted where your blood is drawn, usually from your arm
  • Your blood is placed in a tube and it's sent to a lab where it will be tested
The actual test isn't that long. Most individuals don't even realize. Results are anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the location of the lab.

What Happens After an HbA1c Test

After the test, you can return to your normal activity. No restriction is usually recommended or post-test special care. In some patients, there may be minimal bruising, tenderness, or slight bleeding at the site of the blood test injection, but it is transient and mild.
Post-test advice:

  • Leave the bandage on for a few hours
  • Apply gentle pressure if there is ongoing bleeding
  • Don't lift anything heavily with test arm for the rest of the day if in pain
Rest and notifying your medical treatment provider if feeling dizzy is a good measure. The HbA1c test result will help the doctor in directing further diagnosis or diabetes management.


Interpretation of HbA1c Test Result

The HbA1c test results is given as a percentage. This is the average of the glucose that has been attached to hemoglobin over the last several months. The higher the percentage, the poorer the control of blood sugar.
Typically:

  • Less than 5.7% is normal
  • 5.7% to 6.4% is prediabetes
  • 6.5% or higher is diabetes
High levels of HbA1c means your average blood sugar is high, a situation which increases your risk of developing diabetes complications. On the other hand, HbA1c level within the less than Normal range may indicate hypoglycemia, or overtreatment of diabetes.

Your physician will review your results and other tests and your body condition in general. According to your reading, they will change your treatment plan, give you medication or recommend changes to your lifestyle related to diet and exercise.

Conditions Diagnosed by HbA1c Test

The HbA1c test is commonly employed in the diagnosis and control of:

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Prediabetes
It is not utilized in diagnosing each medical condition, but it is very useful for the control of long-term hyperglycemia. Overweight, sedentary patients with a history of diabetes in the family should undergo screening by means of usual HbA1c measurement.

This test also keeps complications of diabetes at bay by detecting high blood sugar levels early and hence the disease will be treated in time. Even if your level is found to be high after treatment, further tests may be required to search for the underlying cause.

HbA1c vs CBC Test

Both HbA1c and CBC are standard tests but are measuring on a different plane. The HbA1c test is actually measuring your ongoing average level of blood sugar, and the CBC test is testing general wellness of your blood.

The CBC test analyzes red cells, white cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. It is applied to diagnose anemia, infection, and blood disorders. All of these tests are performed for various reasons but are typically performed simultaneously during a checkup for health.

Certain conditions that are detected by a CBC, such as anemia, can impact the accuracy of HbA1c test results. Physicians might then have to depend on other machines to test blood glucose levels.

HbA1c Test Price in Pakistan

The HbA1c test price also varies with the city, medical complex, and whether it is part of a diagnostic package or not. The test costs between PKR 800 and PKR 2,000 on average.

Hospitals and diagnosis centers also offer health packages with the HbA1c test, lipid profile, and fasting glucose. It would be right to call up some labs and ask for the prices.

You can also reach out to your doctor and ask if they know if this useful diabetes test is covered by insurance or if the government reimburses it. Some of the pharmacists and walk-in clinics also offer discount schemes or rewards.

Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.