Overview

The A1C test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes and then to gauge how well you’re managing your diabetes. The A1C test goes by many other names including glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C and HbA1c.
The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications.

Purpose
(When is the procedure required?)

  1. High blood pressure
  2. After a diabetes diagnosis, the A1C test is used to monitor your diabetes treatment plan. Since the A1C test measures your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months instead of your blood sugar level at a point in time, it is a better reflection of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working overall.
  3. Your doctor will likely use the A1C test when you’re first diagnosed with diabetes. This also helps establish a baseline A1C level. The test may then need to be repeated while you’re learning to control your blood sugar..

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is most commonly used to treat the following conditions:

  1. Twice a year if you have type 2 diabetes, you don’t use insulin, and your blood sugar level is consistently within your target range.
  2. Three to four times a year if you have type 1 diabetes
  3. Four times a year if you have type 2 diabetes, you use insulin to manage your diabetes, or you have trouble keeping your blood sugar level within your target range
  4. You may need more frequent A1C tests if your doctor changes your diabetes treatment plan or you begin taking a new diabetes medication.

Expectation
(How is it done? What to expect before, during, and after the procedure?)

A1C test
During the A1C test, a member of your health care team simply takes a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm or pricking the tip of your finger with a small, pointed lancet. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. You can return to your usual activities immediately.

During the procedure
  1. Some liposuction procedures may require only local or regional anesthesia ¾ anesthesia limited to a specific area of your body. Other procedures may require general anesthesia, which induces a temporary state of unconsciousness. You may be given a sedative, typically through an IV injection, to help you remain calm and relaxed.
  2. The surgical team will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen level throughout the procedure. If you feel pain, tell your surgeon. The medication or motions may need adjustment.
  3. The procedure may last up to several hours, depending on the extent of fat removal. After the procedure, the surgeon may leave your incisions open to promote fluid drainage. If you’ve had general anesthesia, you’ll wake in a recovery room. You’ll typically spend at least a few hours in the hospital or clinic so that medical personnel can monitor your recovery. If you’re in a hospital, you may stay overnight to make sure that you’re not dehydrated or in shock from fluid loss.

Preparation
(How to prepare for the procedure? What arrangements to be done? )

The A1C test is a simple blood test. You can eat and drink normally before the test..

Result
(What is the impact of the procedure on the health and day to day life.)

  1. For someone who doesn’t have diabetes, a normal A1C level can range from 4.5 to 6 percent. Someone who’s had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time might have an A1C level above 8 percent. When the A1C test is used to diagnose diabetes, an A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes. For most people who have previously diagnosed diabetes, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is a common treatment target. Higher targets may be chosen in some individuals. If your A1C level is above your target, your doctor may recommend a change in your diabetes treatment plan. Remember, the higher your A1C level, the higher your risk of diabetes complications.
  2. For someone who doesn’t have diabetes, a normal A1C level can range from 4.5 to 6 percent. Someone who’s had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time might have an A1C level above 8 percent.
  3. When the A1C test is used to diagnose diabetes, an A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.
  4. For most people who have previously diagnosed diabetes, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is a common treatment target. Higher targets may be chosen in some individuals. If your A1C level is above your target, your doctor may recommend a change in your diabetes treatment plan. Remember, the higher your A1C level, the higher your risk of diabetes complications.
  5. Here’s how A1C level corresponds to average blood sugar level, in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Here’s how A1C level corresponds to average blood sugar level, in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and millimoles per liter (mmol/L) :

  1. 5 percent 97 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L).
  2. 6 percent 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L).
  3. 7 percent 154 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L)
  4. 8 percent 183 mg/dL (10.2 mmol/L)
  5. 9 percent 212 mg/dL (11.8 mmol/L)
  6. 10 percent 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L)
  7. 11 percent 269 mg/dL (14.9 mmol/L)
  8. 12 percent 298 mg/dL (16.5 mmol/L)
  9. 13 percent 326 mg/dL (18.1 mmol/L)
  10. 14 percent 355 mg/dL (19.7 mmol/L)

Treatments

Teachers and parents can learn behavior-changing strategies for dealing with difficult situations: These strategies may include token reward systems and timeouts

Beta blockers

These medications reduce the workload on your child’s heart, causing it to beat slower and with less force

These medications reduce the workload on your heart and open your blood vessels, causing your heart to beat slower and with less force: When prescribed alone, beta blockers don’t work as well, especially in older adults, but may be effective when combined with other blood pressure medications

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

These medications help relax your child’s blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels: This makes it easier for your child’s blood to flow, reducing blood pressure

These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels: People with chronic kidney disease may benefit from ACE inhibitors as one of their medications

Calcium channel blockers

These medications help relax the muscles of your child’s blood vessels and may slow his or her heart rate

These medications help relax the muscles of your blood vessels: Some slow your heart rate. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and blacks than do ACE inhibitors alone. Grapefruit juice interacts with some calcium channel blockers, increasing blood levels of the medication and putting you at higher risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about interactions

Diuretics

These medications, also known as water pills, act on your child’s kidneys to help your child eliminate sodium and water, reducing blood pressure

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking a natural chemical that narrows your child’s blood vessels

Thiazide diuretics

Diuretics, sometimes called water pills, are medications that act on your kidneys to help your body eliminate sodium and water, reducing blood volume: Thiazide diuretics are often the first, but not the only, choice in high blood pressure medications. If you’re not taking a diuretic and your blood pressure remains high, talk to your doctor about adding one or replacing a drug you currently take with a diuretic. Diuretics or calcium channel blockers may work better for blacks than do angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors alone

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking the action, not the formation, of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels: People with chronic kidney disease may benefit from ARBs as one of their medications

Renin inhibitors

Aliskiren (Tekturna) slows down the production of renin, an enzyme produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure: Tekturna works by reducing the ability of renin to begin this process. Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you shouldn’t take aliskiren with ACE inhibitors or ARBs

Alpha blockers

These medications reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, reducing the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels

Alpha-beta blockers

In addition to reducing nerve impulses to blood vessels, alpha-beta blockers slow the heartbeat to reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the vessels

Central-acting agents

These medications prevent your brain from signaling your nervous system to increase your heart rate and narrow your blood vessels

Vasodilators

These medications work directly on the muscles in the walls of your arteries, preventing the muscles from tightening and your arteries from narrowing

Aldosterone antagonists

Examples are spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra): These drugs block the effect of a natural chemical that can lead to salt and fluid retention, which can contribute to high blood pressure

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Last Update: March 19, 2024