Many do not know what glycated hemoglobin is and why monitor its level. The indicator is of great importance for the body - it allows you to diagnose diabetes at the initial stage. Due to this, it is possible to start treatment in a timely manner and regularly monitor the glucose rate at each stage of therapy. In the article, we consider the description of glycogemoglobin in the blood and find out why people need to check the level of the indicator.
What is it and why research?
Often patients ask: what does “glycated hemoglobin” mean? The indicator is also called “glycated hemoglobin” - this is the result of the fusion of hemoglobin with glucose. The second enters the erythrocyte, combines with an iron-containing protein, and a biochemical reaction occurs.
In medicine, the result is called "glycogemoglobin" and is referred to as "A1c". Unlike the usual diagnosis of glucose in the blood, the glycated hemoglobin is constant and shows data on the average value of sugar and hemoglobin over a lifetime. The level is determined as a percentage of the total hemoglobin volume.
With an increase in glucose level, the process of its fusion with hemoglobin is accelerated, as a result, the content of glycogemoglobin in the blood increases. HbA1c determines the average level of glucose in the blood mass over the past 4 months, since this is how much data is stored in red blood cells. Such an analysis gives more accurate indicators of sugar levels than a regular test, which is taken on an empty stomach. In addition, it allows you to detect diabetes in time at the earliest stages and other possible complications associated with an increase or decrease in the A1c norm. Indicators of glycated hemoglobin differ in age and gender of a person.
Normative indicators for women
The level of glycogemoglobin determines the risk group in the diagnosis of diabetes, which includes women of a certain age.
Doctors determine the dependence of risk on age:
There is no risk of getting sick if the level of glycogemoglobin in the blood is:
- Up to 30 years - 4-5%.
- 30-50 years old - 5-7%.
- Older than 50 years - 7%.
The risk of developing a glucose deficiency increases if the indicator is:
- Up to 30 years old - 6.5-7%.
- 30-50 years old - 7-7.5%.
- Over 50 years old - 7.5-8%.
If, after passing the analysis, the indicator differs from the norms, then in the female body:
- changes in kidney function are observed;
- weakness of the walls of the vessels is manifested;
- there are signs of iron deficiency;
- the presence of diabetes is determined.
The level of the indicator may change after surgery.
The indicator in men and children
The norm of glycated hemoglobin varies in age and in men:
- up to 30 years - 4.5-5.5%;
- from 30 to 50 years old - 5.5-6.5%;
- older than 50 years - 7%.
The consequence of a change in the level of the indicator may be a set of body weight. This means that the development of diabetes begins.
If the child is healthy, then the level of A1c in his blood remains in the range of 4.5-6%. In the diagnosis of diabetes in childhood, a systematic monitoring of the indicator is carried out. If the child has diabetes without complications, then an increase of up to 6.5% is allowed. When glycogemoglobin rises to 7%, hyperglycemia is diagnosed.
Parents need to know what glycated hemoglobin is and how to control the indicator. This is especially important in the adolescent age of the child, since diabetes in this group can occur in a latent form, but affect the robot of the whole organism.
Pregnancy rate
The norm of glycated hemoglobin in a woman during the period of bearing a child is considered an indicator in the range of 4.5-7%, depending on the age of the pregnant woman. This is explained by a change in hormonal levels and regular surges in blood sugar values.
During the gestation period, such indicators A1c are considered the norm:
- For expectant mothers under the age of 28 years - up to 6.5%.
- The permissible value of glycogemoglobin in pregnant women aged 28-40 years is up to 7%.
- An increase of up to 7.5% is possible in pregnant women over 40.
If a pregnant woman of any age, the result of the study shows a glycogemoglobin level of 8-10%, then this means serious complications and the need for urgent treatment.
On average, an expectant mother gives an analysis for A1c every 6-8 weeks. This allows you to monitor and control the level of sugar, as well as determine the health of the fetus and prevent possible complications with its health and condition of the woman.
Low indicators indicate a deficiency of iron, which negatively affects the growth, development of the baby and can lead to further problems.
An increased indicator indicates that the child will be large, that is, more than 4 kg, which means that childbirth will be difficult.
Norm for patients with diabetes
Often, patients suffering from diabetes are prescribed an analysis that determines the level of glycogemoglobin.
First of all they do this:
- to control the level of glucose in the total mass of blood;
- determine the dosage of medicines that reduce sugar;
- identify the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment.
The permissible norm of glycated hemoglobin for diabetes is within 8%. Such a high level is due to the fitness of the body. A sharp decrease in sugar is fraught with a hypoglycemic crisis, to a greater extent this affects people of advanced age. Young people need to adhere to a mark of up to 6.5%.
If the indicator is above 8.0%, then the treatment is ineffective and requires correction. With an increase in sugar up to 12%, the patient needs immediate hospitalization.
The optimal decrease in glucose during the period of diabetes mellitus is 1-1.5% per year, with sharp jumps, complications with the work of the kidneys and blood vessels are possible.
Why does the level rise and fall?
If there is a suspicion of a change in A1c level, a glycated hemoglobin test is prescribed. The growth rate is due not only to diabetes, but also a number of other factors.
An increase in A1c may be due to:
- with fetal hemoglobin, or HbF, in newborns, it gives high rates in diagnosis, but with time it is excreted, and the value of glycated hemoglobin stabilizes;
- iron deficiency, the norm of HbA1C increases;
- an operation to remove the spleen, it is in it that the red blood cells decay.
A decrease in hemoglobin level may be due to:
- with large blood loss;
- a decrease in the concentration of HbA1c due to blood transfusion;
- anemia;
- low glucose.
The main symptoms of a sharp decrease in glycated hemoglobin are: increased irritability, apathy, dizziness, drowsiness, and possible visual impairment.
Reasons for overestimated and underestimated performance
Sometimes a glycated hemoglobin test may show results that are unclear to the person skilled in the art. In this case, the reason for such deviations is found out, which often lies in the existing hidden diseases or pathological processes that occur in the body.
Such pathologies can affect the level of the indicator in the blood:
- Diabetes. Regardless of the degree of the disease, the sugar index will be increased. Its level is stabilized with medicines and a special diet.
- Impaired glucose tolerance. A passive form of diabetes, transmitted genetically or resulting from an improper lifestyle, is possible as a complication of a severe pregnancy. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, it can develop into diabetes mellitus.
- Diseases of the spleen or its removal. Red blood cells break down in this organ, so its disease or splenectomy leads to an increase in glycogemoglobin.
- Taking medication. Some medications, including steroids, contraceptives, antidepressants, affect sugar levels. If the indicators increase too much, the administration of drugs should be minimized.
- Endocrine system. When the thyroid gland is disturbed, a sharp release of hormones is carried out, as a result - the blood sugar level rises.
- Anemia. With anemia, a low level of hemoglobin and sugar is noted.
- Low carb diet. A lack of carbohydrates helps lower blood glucose. Of course, it can be produced from proteins and carbohydrates coming from food, but this process is quite lengthy.
Analysis preparation
To properly donate blood for glycated hemoglobin, you need to know how to prepare for the analysis.
Unlike conventional studies, which are usually given on an empty stomach, the diagnosis of glycated hemoglobin does not require preparation. Before going to the laboratory, you are allowed to eat, drink, play sports. It is possible, but undesirable to take an analysis during colds. However, small deviations in the reliability of the analysis are possible for the following reasons:
- Alcohol poisoning.
- Blood transfusion.
- Anemia.
- Major blood loss.
- Menstruation.
- Renal failure.
- Decreased thyroid hormone levels.
The sample is taken from a vein or finger, the procedure is quick and delivers only slight discomfort. Depending on the laboratory, the result can be obtained on the same day or during the day.
How often to take? On an empty stomach or not?
It is possible to test for glycated hemoglobin in women, men and children on a full stomach. It is important to note that in this case the blood becomes thicker and hemoglobin rises slightly, this may slightly affect the results.
Features of the diagnosis:
- A healthy person without symptoms of diabetes mellitus is recommended to be tested once every 3 years.
- If earlier the result was from 5.7% to 6.4%, it is recommended to check the blood sugar level at least once a year.
- A level above 7% - it is necessary to control 2 times a year.
- For people with an unstable sugar index, diagnosis is recommended once a quarter.
- After 60 years, men and women are advised to check their sugar levels 1-2 times a year.
Non-standard values
Sometimes there are situations with an unclear result of the analysis:
- If glucose is normal, hemoglobin is elevated. People who have diabetes for more than a year know how to stabilize their sugar levels. They drink a pill and go for analysis in order to reassure vigilant doctors and relatives. In the case of glycated hemoglobin, this "focus" will not work - it will show the exact result. Most often, sugar rises in the morning, on an empty stomach. But there are exceptions when its level rises in the afternoon or late in the evening, while the morning glucose is normal, and glycogemoglobin is increased.
- If glucose is elevated, and the norm of glycated hemoglobin by age in women and men is observed. Such a situation is practically excluded; most likely, the analysis will have to be retaken. Perhaps, before the diagnosis, the person ate too much carbohydrates and is absolutely healthy.
How to stabilize the indicator?
It is not enough to know what glycated hemoglobin is, you need to be aware of ways to stabilize the condition.
You can achieve normative indicators by following some rules:
- First of all, eat right;
- learn to deal with stressful situations and keep emotions in check;
- exercise regularly.
Antioxidant-rich foods are excellent in stabilizing blood sugar. That is why diabetics are advised to eat more fruits and fresh vegetables. In addition, green beans, young peas and other beans must be included in the diet. Of the fruits, bananas should be singled out separately.
Low-calorie dairy products are not only good for those who want to lose weight, they saturate the body with calcium and vitamin D, which, in turn, are extremely useful for people with type 2 diabetes. Among other things, it is necessary to include fatty varieties of fish, such as mackerel, tuna and salmon, in the diet. Healthy vegetable fats are found in all types of nuts. Thus, it is possible to reduce the body's resistance to insulin.
It is good to use cinnamon as a seasoning for food. The optimum will be the norm of 0.5 tsp. in a day. It can be seasoned with fruit salads, vegetable side dishes and meat.
Convenience foods, preservatives, fatty, as well as high-calorie foods contribute to an increase in blood sugar. Sweets, pastries, snacks, carbonated drinks negatively affect glucose levels.
Exercise and emotional state
If you get into the habit of daily exercise, you can influence the sugar rate. A 30-minute workout per day is enough to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, bring the body into good physical shape and, as a result, reduce the level of glycated hemoglobin.
The combination of aerobic exercise with strength is considered ideal. It is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, spend more time in the fresh air, walk, independently climb and descend the stairs on foot, then A1c is easier to control.
People with reduced hemoglobin should be limited in physical activity. This can be swimming, Nordic walking and other less active sports.
Scientific studies prove that emotional experiences, depressive states and nervous disorders negatively affect the work of organs, which leads to sharp jumps in glycogemoglobin level. Therefore, it is recommended to combine breathing exercises with yoga, meditate.
Doctors recommend finding out what glycated hemoglobin is from your physician. Since the level of the indicator reflects the work of the human body, doctors advise to adhere to the timing of the analysis to monitor the state of health.