HbA1c Examination to Detect and Control Diabetes

Examination of HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) is one way that can be done to diagnose and control the condition of diabetes. This examination is important, along with the Ministry of Health's prediction that the number of diabetics in Indonesia will continue to increase. Throughout 2018, there were around 16 million cases of diabetes. HbA1c examination serves to measure the average amount of hemoglobin A1c that binds to blood sugar (glucose) during the last three months. This duration corresponds to the life cycle of red blood cells, including hemoglobin, which is three months.

Understand HbA1c Inspection Procedure and Results

If you are at risk of developing diabetes or often have elevated blood sugar levels but have not been diagnosed with diabetes (prediabetes), you can take advantage of the HbA1c examination to confirm it. You are advised to undergo a HbA1c check every 1 to 2 years. But if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, HbA1c examination can be used as a means of control over the success of treatment. This is done by ascertaining whether your blood sugar levels are at the target value. For this reason, diabetics are encouraged to have regular HbA1c checks every 3-6 months. The HbA1c examination procedure is more or less the same as the blood test procedure in general. Blood vessels in the arms will be pierced with needles to draw blood. Blood samples are then tested in a laboratory and the results can be obtained within a few days. The results of the examination will be written as a percentage, with the following interpretation:

• Normal: the amount of HbA1c is below 5.7%.
• Prediabetes: the amount of HbA1c is between 5.7-6.4%.
• Diabetes: the amount of HbA1c reaches 6.5% or more.

The higher amount of HbA1c means that more hemoglobin is bound to glucose, and this indicates that high blood sugar. If the HbA1c count exceeds 8%, chances are you have uncontrolled diabetes and are at risk of complications.

Difference in HbA1c Examination and Blood Sugar Test

In general, the two tests are similar, because they have the same target and function. The target is diabetics or people who are at risk of experiencing it. Likewise, its main function, which is equally to assess blood sugar levels. The results of the examination are in line, where if the HbA1c level is high then the blood sugar level is also high. However, there is a slight difference between the two tests. HbA1c examination is not affected by changes in blood sugar levels that only occur temporarily, for example after consuming sweet foods. That is the reason why fasting is not required before the HbA1c examination. However, this examination can not be used to diagnose all types of diabetes, such as gestational diabetes and diabetes in children.

Conditions that Can Affect the Results of HbA1c Examination

To obtain accurate results, HbA1c examination should not be carried out under the following conditions:

• Severe bleeding or long-term (chronic) bleeding.
• Suffer from blood disorders, such as iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, or thalassemia.
• Suffering from kidney failure, liver disorders, or high cholesterol levels (including high triglycerides).
• Just received a blood transfusion.
• Often drink excessive amounts of alcoholic drinks.

In addition, several types of drugs and supplements, such as steroid drugs, vitamin C supplements, and vitamin E, can also affect the results of HbA1c examination. HbA1c examination can monitor the condition of diabetes, thus helping doctors find the right treatment method. Even so, not all types of diabetes can be detected by this examination, and there are several conditions that can interfere with the results of the examination. Therefore, consult with your doctor about what checks are needed to monitor your diabetes condition.