If you are suffering from diabetes, then you may have heard of A1C. This is a relatively new way to help manage your blood sugar levels. On this page, we want to give you an overview of what it is all about and, perhaps more importantly, how it may benefit you.
What is A1C?
The A1C test is something that you may have had carried out in the past. If you have diabetes, then it is likely that regular trips to the doctor will be on the cards. During these trips, you will have A1C test carried out.
The purpose of the A1C is to measure the amount of glucose that has attached to the hemoglobin in your blood. The higher the glucose levels, the worse things are.
The A1C is different to a blood sugar test, which you should also be carried out regularly. The purpose of an A1C test is to get an average of your blood sugar and diabetes management over a certain period of time. The blood sugar test is designed to tell you what your blood sugar levels are at that exact moment.
The Benefits of Using A1C
The A1C number that you have should be under 7%. While those that do not have diabetes will have a range lower than this (normally between 5% and 6%), those with diabetes need to target 7%.
When you take the test, it will actually give you an idea of your average blood sugar levels over the last couple of months. This is why you do not need to take it every single day.
If you have diabetes and your A1C number is under 7%, then you know that whatever you are doing to manage your diabetes is working. If the number is over 7%, then you are creeping into a dangerous territory. At this point, you know that you are going to need to be making some more changes to your day-to-day life in order to deal with the diabetes. If you don’t, then you may suffer from worse symptoms.
You can take the A1C test in the comfort of your own home, and many people do. However, heading to the doctor is probably going to be the main way that the vast majority of people have the test carried out. The doctor will give you the number from the test. You can use this to take action on the management of your diabetes going forward. If the number is under 7%, then just keep doing whatever you were doing before. If it is over, ask the doctor for advice on how you can manage your blood sugar levels a little bit better.
Final Word
Of course, we are only able to cover the basics of A1C on this page. Check out this article if you want to learn a little bit more about how you can use A1C in the management of your diabetes. It really can help to change up your life.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
