diabetes

Improving You Knowledge Of Diabetes and the A1C Test

The diabetes a1c test is also known as the HbA1C, glycated Hemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin test. Conventional glucose monitoring measures blood sugar at the moment it is taken. The diabetes a1c test on the other hand indicates the average glucose level over a period of the past few months.

Somebody who does not have diabetes will have an A1C level of 5%, and while there is debate over what the A1C target should be, it is recommended that it be less than or equal to 7% in sufferers.

The diabetes a1c test will show this level in order to try to reduce it. Even a 1% drop in the A1C level can significantly reduce the risk of damage to eyes, organs and nerves by 40%.

How Does The A1C Test Work?

A protein called Hemoglobin A is found inside red blood cells and it is this that carries oxygen to the body. When glucose is present in the bloodstream it can stick, or glycate to this protein. The more glucose found the more it there is to stick and this results in a higher percentage of haemoglobin proteins becoming glycated. Once glucose sticks to the protein, it remains there for the lifetime of the Hemoglobin A protein, up to 120 days, therefore the glucose attached to the Hemoglobin A protein reflects the level of blood sugar over the past two to three months. This is what the diabetes a1c test results show.

It is necessary to conduct the diabetes a1c test every three months, but if blood sugars are fairly stable or near normal, then it is only necessary to test twice a year. Frequent diabetes a1c tests are recommended for those who have recently changed their treatment plan in an attempt to monitor and manage this disease

The diabetes test kit can be used by you and also by a health care professional. There is no pain involved as all it entails is a simple prick to the fingertip. This sample can either be analysed on site or can be sent away to a laboratory.

The diabetes a1c test is a good test if you want to measure overall glucose levels but it should not replace regular self testing of blood glucose as the results can be misleading when the survival of red blood cells is prolonged or reduced. Someone with anaemia can also lead to false high A1C results. However, the diabetes a1c test does not require fasting as any food eaten on the same day as testing will not affect the results.

Tags: diabetes a1c test, diabetes, glycosylated haemoglobin test

Your Health Depends On Diabetes Test Kits

The question is not whether or not to invest in a diabetes test kit; it is rather a question of which one is best for you. When you go out to buy your Diabetes test kit look for glucose test strips, sharp lancets and monitoring devices that give fast and accurate results, but more than that whichever diabetes test kit you decide on must be affordable.

Diabetes test kits are available to anyone who has been diagnosed with Diabetes; however, there are a host of people who use them as a means to monitoring whether or not they are at risk for diabetes, especially those who have a history of diabetes in their family. It is suggested though that anyone over the age of 45 be careful of symptoms though.

Diabetes test kits don’t need a doctor’s prescription; they are readily available over the counter from your local pharmacy. The most common diabetes test kit consists of a battery operated meter, comes with glucose strips and some sharp lancets, or needles plus an operating manual which you must read in order to get the best results.

Steps For Testing Yourself

You will need to insert the glucose strip in the meter. The next step is to prick your finger with the lancet, but make sure you have wiped it first with rubbing alcohol in order to sterilize it. Squeeze a few drops of blood onto the special area of the glucose strip and close the lid of the meter. After only a few seconds the meter will produce results.

The diabetes A1C test is different in that it is primarily used to monitor and give a picture of the average amount of glucose in the blood over a period of months. This goes a long way toward minimising the complications associated with damage to organs, heart and nerves as it lets your doctor know whether or not you are in control of your condition, and helps them decide if your treatment needs to be adjusted. This test is most commonly used to help newly diagnosed diabetics.

When you are purchasing your diabetes test kit make sure that it will meet your needs completely and compare meters as they are not all the same. Some meters require more than a drop or two of blood in order to work properly and this may lead constantly aching fingers. You diabetes test kit should also give fast results. Importantly though you need to make sure that whatever diabetes test kit you decide to buy has been approved and if you are not sure, call the manufacturer to find out. Unapproved diabetes test kits can lead to inaccurate results. 

Tags: diabetes test kit, diabetes a1c test