The biochemical indicator of blood, with the help of which the average amount of sugar in an individual is determined, is what glycated hemoglobin is. Its rate ranges from four to six percent. In another way it is also called glycated hemoglobin. It is considered one of the signs of diabetes.
What is glycohemoglobin (Hba1c)?
The hemoglobin protein is part of red blood cells. It is responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues and organs, and removes carbon dioxide from the body. If sugar enters the erythrocyte membrane, it reacts with hemoglobin, and glycated hemoglobin is obtained as a result of this interaction. Being inside red blood cells for three to four months, hemoglobin will be a constant indicator. Then, together with glycated hemoglobin, it undergoes transformation in the spleen.
Deviation from sugar and glycated hemoglobin in the blood is monitored both in patients with diabetes for regular monitoring of glucose concentration in the bloodstream and in healthy individuals with the aim of preventing and early detection of pathology. Every diabetic is required to maintain a safe level of sugar, since only in this case the risk of serious consequences is minimized. A glycated hemoglobin test helps to detect diabetes at an early stage, i.e., before symptoms appear. This test reflects the average blood sugar level in the past three to four months.
Blood test for glycated hemoglobin. What does the norm mean?
Reference values are in the range of 4.8 - 5.9%. The results are interpreted as follows. The glycolated hemoglobin index (in percent):
- from 4 to 6.2 - the individual does not have diabetes;
- from 6.5 and above - there is diabetes;
- from 5.7 to 6.4 - the condition is regarded as prediabetes.
When decoding the results of the study, doctors take into account the following factors that affect the final result. The presence of the patient:
- abnormal forms of hemoglobin;
- anemia
- heavy bleeding;
- lack of iron;
- recently transfused blood. Liquid preservatives of the latter contain a large amount of glucose.
In addition, the analysis is not able to reflect differences in blood sugar, for example, when glucose is increased, and glycated hemoglobin is normal. And also with severe (labile) diabetes mellitus, sharp fluctuations in glucose are not detected.
Advantages of glycated hemoglobin analysis
The advantage of this type of research is as follows:
- The accuracy of the results is not affected by the psychoemotional and physical state.
- It is allowed to take biomaterial at any time of the day independent of food intake. However, some doctors recommend going through this procedure on an empty stomach to get more accurate results.
- Taking medications, with the exception of antidiabetic ones, also has no effect.
- Seasonal infection or catarrhal disease does not distort the results of the study.
- Identification of diabetes in the early stages of development.
- Allows you to control how diabetics adhere to restrictions and keep their sugar levels within acceptable limits.
Disadvantages of Glycated Hemoglobin Research
These include:
- The cost of research is more expensive than glucose.
- Not all medical organizations perform this analysis.
- For individuals with diagnosed anemia and hemoglobinopathy, it is not suitable.
- Analysis may show that glycated hemoglobin is elevated, while glucose is normal. This phenomenon is possible with a low concentration of thyroid hormones.
- Not quite a good option for future mothers, since glycogemoglobin reflects increased glucose after three months. During this period, it is quite realistic to take certain measures to normalize it. In addition, sugar begins to rise from the sixth month of pregnancy.
What is glycated hemoglobin and its norm?
This is one of the indicators of blood, which is determined biochemically. The limits of the norm are from four to six percent. It provides glucose information for the last three months. When compared with a conventional test or glucose tolerance test, glycogemoglobin analysis wins in all respects. According to the test results, the necessary therapy is prescribed, which contributes to a significant improvement in the quality of life of the individual.
Doctors use the Hba1c indicator as an indicator of diabetes control. It is not influenced by any factors. If the level of glycated hemoglobin is within the acceptable range, then the individual has a minimal risk of diabetes progression and a good carbohydrate metabolism. At rates above six and a half percent, the risk of diabetes mellitus increases.
In children, the permissible limits correspond to the norm of adults.
For individuals with diabetes, the rules are different. The acceptable indicator for them is up to eight percent.
Standard values of glycogemoglobin (%) in men
Consider the norms of glycated hemoglobin in the blood in men:
- from 4.5 to 5.5 - up to thirty years;
- from 5.5 to 6.5 - from thirty to fifty years;
- above 7 - over fifty years old.
Doctors recommend that all men after the forty-year milestone be tested for Hba1c in order to have information about the concentration of sugar in the blood. It is at this age that most individuals are overweight. Being overweight is one of the main causes of diabetes. It is necessary to monitor your health.
Standard values of glycogemoglobin (%) in women
Allowed boundaries under the age of thirty are 4–5; from thirty to fifty - 5–7; over fifty - a valid indicator, as in men. Analysis for this indicator is recommended for the following people at risk:
- age from forty years;
- excess weight or its sharp fluctuations;
- taking hormonal medications;
- earlier occurrence of atherosclerosis;
- with persistent hypertension and some other pathologies.
The rate of glycated hemoglobin in pregnant women depends on the age of the future mother. For example, 6.5 - in the young, and in the late-born - 7.5. However, experts advise checking glucose concentration during this period with other methods.
Target glycemic hemoglobin for diabetes
Eight years ago, WHO approved the glycemic hemobilin threshold for diabetes, and it was six and a half percent. Exceeding its norm in such patients indicates frequent surges in blood sugar. This phenomenon is observed with improper medication, the presence of pathological processes associated with the metabolism of carbohydrates.
However, not all diabetics are recommended by doctors to reduce this indicator to the norm of an almost healthy individual. Its low level significantly increases the risk of hypoglycemia, the consequences of which are more dangerous than high sugar. In addition, its permissible range depends on the presence of complications and age:
- In severe complications: for young people up to seven, for the elderly up to eight percent.
- Minor complications: for young people up to six and a half, for the elderly up to seven and a half percent.
Causes of Low Glycated Hemoglobin
If this indicator is below four percent, then this indicates a low level of glucose in the blood, large blood loss, anemia. Hypoclycemia occurs when the concentration of glucose becomes less than three and a half millimoles per liter. This condition is dangerous to the life of the individual. Glycosylated hemoglobin below normal happens for the following reasons:
- neoplasm in the pancreas;
- adrenal insufficiency;
- prolonged physical activity;
- hereditary fructose intolerance;
- low-carb diet, which adhere to a long period;
- an overdose of sugar-lowering drugs;
- some rare genetic abnormalities;
- chronic renal failure;
- anemia
- malaria;
- alcoholism.
Causes of Elevated Glycated Hemoglobin
Above normal glycosylated hemoglobin means that there is a sustained, sustained increase in sugar levels in the blood. This phenomenon is not always considered a harbinger of diabetes. Such a diagnosis is made when glycosylated hemoglobin exceeds six and a half percent. In addition, impaired carbohydrate metabolism can also occur from a failure of glucose tolerance or an increase in fasting glucose. This condition is called prediabetes. An increase in the level is possible for the following reasons not related to diabetes:
- after removal of the spleen;
- high concentration of fetal (fetal) hemoglobin in crumbs;
- lack of iron in the body of the individual.
If the above factors acted as provocateurs of elevated levels of glycogemoglobin, then over time it will return to normative values.
It is important to remember that diabetics are not recommended a sharp decrease in this type of hemoglobin, since there is a high probability of complications in the small vessels of the kidneys and eyes. An annual decrease of one or one and a half percent is considered the most optimal.
Available for everyone methods of stabilization of glycated hemoglobin
To achieve the targets it is necessary:
- Proper nutrition - increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet. Eat low-calorie dairy products. Eat more oily fish and nuts. Of spices, prefer cinnamon. Sweets and junk food are minimized.
- Stress management - doing breathing exercises, doing meditation or yoga. Gradually eradicate addiction.
- Regular physical activity - at least thirty minutes a day, combining anaerobic and aerobic exercises. The greater the activity, the closer to the normative values glycated hemoglobin.
Why take a glycemic hemoglobin test?
What is glycated hemoglobin and its norm in the analysis that it shows? As a result of the interaction of glucose with hemoglobin, this compound is formed, the norm of which is the same for all sexes and ages. The advantage of this analysis for diabetics is that with its help;
- Determine what concentration of sugar in the last three months he had in his blood.
- Evaluate the effect of ongoing pharmacotherapy. If necessary, carry out adjustments.
Now you know what glycated hemoglobin is and its norm. With regular studies, you can identify a dangerous ailment at an early stage and completely recover. If there are fluctuations in glycogemoglobin, then careful monitoring of the concentration of sugar in the bloodstream is necessary. It is not recommended to independently interpret the obtained research results.
Situations when a single analysis showed that glucose is elevated, and glycated hemoglobin is normal - this is not a pathology, but nutrition errors, i.e. the individual is healthy, but ate a lot of sweets before the study. For all questions, consult a qualified healthcare professional.