People have known diabetes for long. But these days diabetes is on the rise and is a leading cause and an important risk factor for major illnesses. Blood sugar levels are tested to know the presence of diabetes. However, another test for diabetes is found to be a more stable indicator.
You must be aware of blood tests that are done to detect the sugar levels in blood. These have been used since long. However, these days, another test called glycosylated hemoglobin or glycated Hb is used to monitor blood sugar levels.
Science speaks
You have hemoglobin in the red blood cells in your blood stream. Glucose in your blood sticks to the hemoglobin in your blood and forms a molecule called glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1C. If there is more glucose in your blood, there will be more binding and more HbA1C will be found in the blood.
Measuring the HbA1C levels can help to detect the levels of blood glucose for the last 8 to 12 weeks. This is because the red blood cells can live for this period and hence can show the binding with glucose.
The HbA1C is been considered as one of the best ways to detect whether diabetes is under control. As recommended by the WHO, this test can also be effectively used to diagnose diabetes
Safety First
This test does not require fasting but there are certain cases when this test may not be appropriate. For example, in children, pregnant women, patients having symptoms of diabetes for a period less than 2 months, patients who are seriously or acutely ill.
