| A1C |
You’re going to be hearing a lot more about A1C because it is the body’s way of keeping a history of how well it controls blood sugar over an extended period of time. It is a test that measures the amount of glucose (blood sugar) attached to the protein (hemoglobin) in the red blood cells. The test gives a good estimate of how well you have metabolized glucose over the prior 90 days. Moreover, it is an excellent manner for you to determine if your lifestyle is keeping you out of harms way to illness. Why the Test is carried out?This test measures blood sugar control over an extended period. In general, the higher your A1C value, the higher the risk for certain medical problems. The closer your A1C value is to normal, the less likely you are to have these problems. Normally, only a small percentage of the hemoglobin (Hb) molecules in red blood cells become attached to glucose (blood sugar). The percentage of glucose attached increases and decreases over time reflecting the change in the rise and fall of glucose in the blood stream. The body averages these out and A1C is a historical record of the average. A person who does not burn blood sugar as well as he/she ought to, will have an elevated A1C, one above 4.9%. Alternative names for expressing the inability to burn glucose properly are: Insulin Resistance, Impaired Fasting Glucose, borderline diabetes,and Impaired Glucose Tolerance. How the Test is carried out?Blood is obtained by a tiny needle prick on the tip of the finger after cleaning it with alcohol. The blood is then placed in a small computer which analyzes the blood. How to Prepare for the Test
The vast majority of people do not feel the minute pin prick on the tip of the finger. Some A1C kits can be obtained over the internet or bought at a retail outlet such as Wal-Mart. Normal ResultsA1C is normal if it is less than 5%. What Abnormal Results MeanThe test can show that your blood glucose levels have been eitherwell-regulated or not well-regulated within the normal range over a period of months. If the A1C value is above 4.9%, it means you are at greater risk of impotency, stroke, heart attack, certain cancers, congestive heart failure, and memory loss as you grow older. When you bring your A1C level down to the normal range and keep it there, you significantly decrease your chances of having these conditions. Continuous blood glucos monitoring devices indicate that blood glucose levels fluctuate around a base-line and, on occasion, in and out of the normal range throughout a 24-hour period. Blood glucose rises and falls with eating and physical exertion, emotional stress, and a change in metabolic demand, for example, pregnancy. Glucotherex helps you maintain blood glucose in the normal range a greater percentage of the time which is reflected in A1C value. |