This test is also known as: Hb A1c, MBG ; Hb A1c With MBG Estimation. The test includes: Hemoglobin A1c by immunoassay; mean blood glucose (MBG) estimation.
Hemoglobin is found inside red blood cells. Its job is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Hemoglobin, like all proteins, links up with sugars such as glucose.
You know that when you have uncontrolled diabetes you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. This extra glucose enters your red blood cells and links up (or glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin. The more excess glucose in your blood, the more hemoglobin gets glycated. It is possible to measure the percentage of A1C in the blood. The result is an overview of your average blood glucose control for the past few months.
Diabetes leads to extensive complications and serious disabilities, including damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Early detection of problems gives you the chance to make changes and take medicine that can help prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. Who should be tested?:
Anyone 45 years of age or older should consider getting tested for diabetes.
If you are at least 45 years old and overweight,
If you are younger than 45, overweight, and have one or more risk factors, you should consider testing.
The American Diabetes Association suggests how often to repeat the test:
All adults 45 years of age and older should be considered for diabetes screening by their health care provider every 3 years, particularly those with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. If you have prediabetes, have your blood glucose checked again in 1 to 2 years, advises the NIDDK.
In those who are overweight, testing should begin at an earlier age if additional risk factors are present and be repeated sooner.
What are the risk factors? The American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists jointly recommend that you get tested for diabetes starting at 30 years old if you are in a high-risk group due to any of the following: Your family:Your sister, brother, or parent has or had diabetes. You are of Latino/Hispanic, African, Asian, Native American, Native Alaskan, or Pacific Island descent.
Your health:
You are overweight or have a sedentary lifestyle.
You have hypertension, cholesterol levels (triglycerides or high-density lipoproteins) of concern, heart or vascular disease, or a severe psychiatric illness.
Prior tests showed you had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose.
