Glycated sugar. The rate of glycated hemoglobin in diabetes

To restore the full picture during diabetes mellitus, patients submit an additional analysis for glycated hemoglobin. The study provides information on what average blood glucose has been over the past three months. If the patient's doctor suspects the presence of diabetes, he appoints to take a test for glycated sugar. This indicator is more informative than the standard sugar analysis .

What is glycated hemoglobin

Glycated hemoglobin (aka glycated sugar) is an indicator that is determined biochemically and shows the sugar content for the last three months, so the doctor can easily see the clinical picture of the disease in diabetes. If we compare the tests for tolerance or the usual tests for blood glucose , then this analysis is more informative. Indicators allow you to start timely and surgical therapy. This, in turn, gives positive results and improves the quality of life of the patient. Presenting what glycated sugar is, it is necessary to find out its norms. You also need to understand what to do in cases where the indicators are too high or too low.

Glycated sugar analysis

Diabetics need to take such an analysis four times a year (or once every three months). During this period, the level of blood sugar is estimated, as well as its dynamics. Analysis for glycated sugar how to donate ideally? Best in the morning, on an empty stomach. If the patient has a history of blood transfusion or there has been significant blood loss in the last period, then the results may be unreliable. In such cases, the body needs time to recover - at least three months.

Each doctor advises his patients to take glycated hemoglobin tests in the same laboratory. Each such institution has its own variation in performance. In principle, it is insignificant, but in the final diagnosis it can play a role.

Increased sugar does not always immediately have a negative effect on well-being, so it is impossible to immediately establish the picture of diabetes. For this reason, analysis for glycated sugar, at least sometimes, must be passed to everyone who monitors their own health.

Research merits

In diabetes mellitus, this study has several advantages in comparison with conventional biochemical analysis:

• In principle, analysis can be done at any time of the day, even after meals. Although on an empty stomach, indicators will be somewhat more accurate.
• It is this method that provides the opportunity to get a complete picture and recognize the very initial stages of diabetes. Accordingly, take the necessary measures.
• No special preparation is required for testing for glycated sugar; blood sampling can occur at any time, in the shortest possible time.
• This method gives a 100% idea of ​​whether the patient suffers from diabetes, even in the very early stages.
• The physical or emotional state of the patient in no way affects the accuracy of the analysis result.
• Before the blood sampling procedure, there is no need to refuse to take the necessary medications, which are taken on an ongoing basis.

All of the above indicates that this analysis does not require special preparation, gives the most accurate picture of the disease. This excludes all factors affecting the readings.

disadvantages

If we talk about the shortcomings of the analysis for glycated sugar, then, unfortunately, they are also available. Here are the most basic ones:

• Compared with a conventional blood sugar test, this study is several times more expensive.
• The results may give inaccurate indicators in patients suffering from hemoglobinopathy and anemia.
• Not all regions carry out this analysis in laboratories, so it is not available to all residents of the country.
• The results of the study may be reduced after taking a high dose of vitamins E or C.
• If the patient has an increased level of thyroid hormones, then even if the blood glucose level is normal, the result on glycated hemoglobin may be overestimated.

Factors Affecting Result

Deciphering the analyzes will not take much time. And yet, since the technology for determining sugar levels varies, it is better to carry out the analysis a couple of times.

If the norm of glycated sugar is determined in diabetics, it is worth noting that in two different people with the same glucose value, glycated sugar indices can differ by one percent.

In some situations, the analysis may produce false results (error up to 1%) if fetal hemoglobin is lowered or increased.

Numerous scientific studies have identified a number of reasons that may affect the results of glycated sugar analysis:

• The body weight of the patient.
• Age group.
• Body type.

There are other reasons that affect the reliability of the result. Although analysis is possible in any situation, in order to obtain a more reliable picture, it is better to conduct it on an empty stomach, excluding physical activity.

Glycated sugar rate

The glycated sugar table will help evaluate the result of the analysis and draw certain conclusions.

The rate of glycated hemoglobin in diabetes

In 2011, the World Health Organization approved a glycated hemoglobin threshold of 6.5% to determine if a patient has diabetes. If the disease has already been established earlier, then the rate of glycated hemoglobin in diabetes mellitus (6.5%) allows you to control the effectiveness of treatment, the presence of risks of various complications, as well as the correct determination of the dosage of insulin and other medicines

An overestimation of the glycated sugar norm in diabetics indicates that blood sugar numbers often give high leaps. This shows that the patient does not always take the medicine correctly or the treatment is prescribed incorrectly, pathological processes that are closely related to carbohydrate metabolism are present in the body. If the amount of glycated hemoglobin in the patient is constantly increased, it is necessary to pass standard blood glucose tests, test the level before and after eating food.

Overestimated glycated hemoglobin values ​​confirm the picture that blood sugar numbers often rose and stayed at this level for a long time.

Need for analysis

Diabetics should regularly take glycated blood tests for sugar. This must be done to constantly monitor the condition of the body.

In case of diabetes mellitus of the first type, this analysis is extremely necessary to do at least four times, in case of diabetes mellitus of the second type - at least two times.

Some patients knowingly skip this analysis, panicky afraid to reveal their exceeded indicators. Someone is just too lazy to take an analysis and without due attention to their own health. This absolutely can not be done. Timely identification of the reasons for the overestimated indicator makes it possible to adjust the treatment and provide the patient with a comfortable quality of life.

During pregnancy, women need to undergo this study. Underestimated indicators lead to a delay in the development of the fetus. Abortion may even occur. In this case, the situation requires strict control.

For children overstated indicators over a long time are also very dangerous. If the indicator is exceeded by 10 percent, in no case can you drastically reduce the level. A sharp jump down can lead to impaired visual function, decreased vision and subsequently even its complete loss. It is necessary to reduce the indicator gradually, by 1 percent per year.

To maintain a normal rate of glycated hemoglobin, you need to constantly monitor the sugar level, consult a doctor on time, and undergo examinations.

The consequences of an increased rate

Glycated sugar levels should be constantly monitored. If for a long time the indicator is too high, then this leads to the following complications:

• Pathology of blood vessels and heart.
• Hemoglobin does not cope with the transport function of oxygen delivery, as a result, hypoxia of organs and tissues occurs.
• Vision is impaired.
• Lack of iron.
• Diabetes.
• Hyperglycemia.
• Polyneuropathy.
• Renal failure.
• In pregnant women, the risk of giving birth is too large or a dead fetus.
• In children, the manifestation of non-insulin-dependent diabetes is possible.

The consequences of a lower rate

If glycated blood sugar is very low, then the risks of the following negative consequences are likely:

• A glut of drugs that lower sugar levels.
• Frequent bleeding.
• Adrenal insufficiency.
• Constant need for a blood transfusion.
• The patient should follow a low-carb diet for a long time.
• Hemolytic anemia.
• Perhaps the development of rare diseases, such as Herce's disease, von Girke's disease, fructose intolerance.
• Pregnant women may have a dead baby or premature birth.

Treatment

If the results of tests for glycated sugar showed overestimated or underestimated indicators, you should first contact your doctor. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose and prescribe the required course of treatment. Typically, the form of treatment includes the following items:

• Proper balanced nutrition.
• Developed the necessary physical activity.
• Suitable medications.

As for nutrition, there are especially important recommendations:

• The predominance of fruits and vegetables in the diet. This will help keep sugar levels normal.
• Fiber (bananas, legumes) is useful for diabetics.
• Skim milk and yogurt, calcium and vitamin D strengthen the skeletal system. This is especially true for type 2 diabetics .
• Nuts, fish meat. Omega-3 regulates glucose levels, decreasing insulin resistance.

It is strictly forbidden to use:

• Fried food.
• Fast food.
• Chocolate.
• Carbonated drinks.

All this leads to sharp jumps in glucose levels in the analyzes.

Aerobic exercise quickly reduces sugar levels, so they are recommended for all people, not just patients. The emotional state is also very important and plays an important role in the normalization of analysis indicators.

In any case, do not panic after receiving results on glycated sugar. Performance is influenced by many factors. The reasons for the increase or decrease in the level can only be explained by a doctor.