HbA1C Blood Test - What Does it Mean?

To help identify whether you are prediabetic a GP surgery will do a blood test.  This is called an HbA1c and is used to assess your blood glucose control over the last 2-3 months.  A reading of 42 mmol/mol to 47 mmol/mol is classed as prediabetic.  A reading below 42 mmol/mol is what you need to aim for and is classed as normal.

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HbA1c stands for:

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Hb - haemoglobin - this is the part of your blood which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. 

HbA - the red colouring in the haemoglobin

HbA1c - consists of HbA and glucose which are combined together in the red blood cells.

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Your red blood cells live for approximately 2-3 months which is why the HbA1c blood test covers the last 2-3 months.  The HbA1c reading is based on the red blood cells that have glucose attached to them.  If you get a high HbA1c reading, for example 46 mmol/mol, it means your blood glucose levels are high.  If you get a low reading for your HbA1c, for example 36 mmol/mol, it means your blood glucose levels will be low. 

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It is important to make sure your HbA1c level is monitored regularly as the results will help you and your GP assess your blood glucose control over the last year.  This will help you know how to move forward for the next year with diet and exercise.  

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Be aware that if your HbA1c reading is too high you may be showing some symptoms of Type II diabetes such as tiredness, blurry vision and feeling unwell.  

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If your HbA1c average blood glucose reading is too low that can be detrimental also in that you may have a high risk of severe hypoglycaemia without any warning signs.  If this is the case you need to aim for a higher HbA1c level.

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We should bring to your attention here that the USA use different figures to the UK.  Their HbA1c figures are done in percentages rather than mmol/mol.  A level of below 5.7% in the USA is considered normal and above that is prediabetes.  However, you should also bear in mind that the USA have a different level too for being considered a prediabetic so above 5.7% is prediabetic.  If you equate that to UK figures it would need to be above 6%  to be classed as prediabetic.  Just be aware of this when reading up on prediabetes as it can cause confusion.

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