Always In Control (AIc)
A1c is one of the most important tests you can do so we have dedicated this site to everything
you need to know.
you need to know.
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Let's get the scientific stuff explained and out of the way. Hemoglobin is a protein that is found within red
blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. The sugar in your blood that powers your body is called
glucose. When glucose in your blood combines with hemoglobin it is now called hemoglobin A1c (other
names are glycosylated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin). The higher the concentration of glucose
you have, the higher resulting concentration of hemoglobin A1c. Healthy, non diabetic adults will have a
hemoglobin A1c concentration of less than 6%. Unlike your blood sugar concentration which changes
constantly (for example with diet and stress) the concentration of hemoglobin A1c changes
slowly,increasing when your blood sugar level is high. The reason why hemoglobin A1c does not fluctuate
like blood sugar is that glucose cannot be removed once it is bound to hemoglobin and can only be
removed when the red blood cell is replaced by the body every 90 - 120 days. This is why hemoglobin A1c
reflects the average glucose level within your body for the past 6 to 8 weeks.
Your Hemoglobin A1c test result is your body's glucose report card for the past 8 weeks which takes into
account your good and bad days.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says "it's like getting your blood's batting average." Knowing your
hemoglobin A1c?Being informed and educated about diabetes is the most important thing a
person living with diabetes can do for themselves. There is good evidence that controlling glucose levels
reduces the incidences of complications with diabetes. A single point reduction in hemoglobin A1c can
reduce the risks of cardiovascular accidents by about 30 to 35 percent. The Diabetes Control and
Complications Trial conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease
(NIDDK) demonstrated equally substantial reductions in risk of eye, kidney, and nerve disease with lower
blood glucose levels.
blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. The sugar in your blood that powers your body is called
glucose. When glucose in your blood combines with hemoglobin it is now called hemoglobin A1c (other
names are glycosylated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin). The higher the concentration of glucose
you have, the higher resulting concentration of hemoglobin A1c. Healthy, non diabetic adults will have a
hemoglobin A1c concentration of less than 6%. Unlike your blood sugar concentration which changes
constantly (for example with diet and stress) the concentration of hemoglobin A1c changes
slowly,increasing when your blood sugar level is high. The reason why hemoglobin A1c does not fluctuate
like blood sugar is that glucose cannot be removed once it is bound to hemoglobin and can only be
removed when the red blood cell is replaced by the body every 90 - 120 days. This is why hemoglobin A1c
reflects the average glucose level within your body for the past 6 to 8 weeks.
Your Hemoglobin A1c test result is your body's glucose report card for the past 8 weeks which takes into
account your good and bad days.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says "it's like getting your blood's batting average." Knowing your
hemoglobin A1c?Being informed and educated about diabetes is the most important thing a
person living with diabetes can do for themselves. There is good evidence that controlling glucose levels
reduces the incidences of complications with diabetes. A single point reduction in hemoglobin A1c can
reduce the risks of cardiovascular accidents by about 30 to 35 percent. The Diabetes Control and
Complications Trial conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease
(NIDDK) demonstrated equally substantial reductions in risk of eye, kidney, and nerve disease with lower
blood glucose levels.