Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test
(HbA1c; GHb; Glycohemoglobin; Diabetic Control Index)
Definition
A glycosylated hemoglobin test (HbA1c) is a blood test that measures the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein found in the blood. Glycosylated hemoglobin means that glucose (sugar) has attached to the hemoglobin protein. The higher your blood sugar is, the more that glucose gets attached to your hemoglobin.
Glycohemoglobin
Reasons for Test
HbA1c shows how high your blood sugar levels have been during the past three months. This can help your doctor determine how well you are controlling your diabetes . Your doctor may also use HbA1c to test you for diabetes.
What to Expect
Description of Test
You will roll up your sleeve. An elastic band will be wrapped around your upper arm. An area on your arm will be cleaned with alcohol. The needle will then be inserted into your arm. A small amount of blood will be drawn into a tube. The needle will be removed. Pressure will be applied to the puncture site. A small bandage may be placed on the site. Your blood will be sent to a lab for testing.
After Test
Apply pressure to the site until bleeding stops.
How Long Will It Take?
Less than five minutes
Will It Hurt?
It may hurt slightly when the needle is inserted.
RESOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/
National Diabetes Education Program
http://ndep.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:S12-S54.
Aronow WS, Ahn C, Weiss MB, Babu S. Relation of increased hemoglobin A1c levels to severity of peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. Am J Cardiol. 2007;99:1468-1469.
Check your hemoglobin A1c IQ. National Diabetes Education Program website. Available at: http://ndep.nih.gov/materials/pubs/HbA1c/HbA1c-checkIQ.htm. Accessed April 1, 2003.
Glycosylated hemoglobin. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003640.htm. Updated May 2009. Accessed September 30, 2009.
A new number. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/features/new-number. Accessed September 30, 2009.
Pradhan AD, Rifai N, Buring JE, Ridker PM. Hemoglobin A1c predicts diabetes but not cardiovascular disease in nondiabetic women. Am J Med. 2007;120:720-727.
Saudek CD, Herman WH, Sacks DB, et al. A new look at screening and diagnosing diabetes mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:2447-2453.
Standards of medical care in diabetes mellitus. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/suppl_1/s33.full. Accessed September 30, 2009.
Why is interpreting HbA1c values tricky? Internet FAQ Consortium website. Available at: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/diabetes/faq/part2/preamble.html. Accessed April 13, 2003.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Brian P. Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.