What is glycosylated hemoglobin?
For theScielointerface, a research article entitled “Glycosylated hemoglobin or glycated hemoglobin” was developed. There, this heteroprotein is defined as a faithful indicator to evaluate the evolution in diabetic patients, and for the diagnosis in individuals of clinical suspicion.
Likewise, according to theAmerican diabetes association, it is also considered a treatment criterion for patients with previous assessment. They were the ones who also formalized the use of HbA1c as an acronym to recognize glycosylated hemoglobin.
Characteristics of glycosylated hemoglobin
Glycosylation is an enzymatic reaction, plus the glycation of Hb (Hemoglobin) is a non-enzymatic process, so there is an error in the name of this analysis.
It is important to mention that not being catalyzed by enzymes requires it to happen at different stages to complete.
Below we explain its most important features.
Evaluate the glucose level in the last 3 months
In the study entitled “What is hemoglobin A1c?” (What is hemoglobin A1c?), explains how HbA1c reflects the individual’s mean blood glucose three or four months prior to taking the sample.
This is due to the fact that, as glycation is a relatively slow and non-enzymatic process, it develops during the 120 days of the enterocyte’s average lifespan and ends when the irreversible glycation of Hb occurs.
Studies show that 50% of the HbA1c result corresponds to the month prior to sampling, 25% to the month prior to that, and the remaining 25% to months three and four.
It is for this reason that glycosylated hemoglobin is used as the basis for the monitoring and control of the metabolism of diabetes.
Measures glucose attached to red blood cells
The percentage of glycosylation is proportional to the concentration of glucose. Normally, the oldest red blood cells are those with the highest percentage of HbA1c attached.
In the study of Quality of glycemic control according to glycosylated hemoglobin, it is explained how this protein transports oxygen within those red blood cells to which glucose adheres by binding Hb. They bind through the beta chain of hemoglobin and alter the values.
It is done for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Type 2 diabetes is also known as diabetes mellitus, it entails many limitations in patients and the control that can be carried out with this HbA1c analysis brings the benefit of reducing or delaying complications, since this has been developed as an important criterion. to monitor treatment.
With the incorporation of HbA1c as a diagnostic criterion in prediabetes, the early determination facilitates the provision of education and support to delay or prevent the onset of the disease.
This information is supported and further specified in the Thesis of the St. Augustine de Arequipa National University, Peru, entitled ” Lifestyles and glycosylated hemoglobin of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ”
Allows verification of the effectiveness of treatments
In Dr. Pedro Pinhero’s article on glycosylated hemoglobin ” Normal values and how to lower it “, he states that HbA1c levels help us identify how effective the applied treatment has been.
If a diabetic patient fails to comply with the treatment and the week prior to the tests is when he decides to continue the treatment, the HbA1c test will reveal the lack of control, throwing undesirable levels. In addition, it shows if the suggested treatment is acting correctly in the body.
A study carried out in the New England Journal of Medicine called Accord explained how HbA1c control decreases the risk of complications resulting from not monitoring these values.
Can be combined with other tests
They are complemented with another analysis to be able to monitor glucose levels, such as:
- Capillary blood glucose test
- urine test
With all the control that can be accessed through the value registry and good eating plans, diabetes can be successfully managed and its complications avoided.
Represents values in percentages
In the Research carried out by the University of St. Augustine , it is determined that it refers to the results of HbA1c converted to an average level of glucose in the blood in units of measure (mg/dL)
The values of a patient who is not diabetic is between 4 and 5%. The acceptable value for diabetic patients is 7%, since it is from there that adverse effects can begin to occur.
It is recommended to do 2 times a year
The recommendation for recurrence depends on the values obtained and state of health.
For patients at risk (prediabetes) it is once a year to be able to monitor. Twice a year if you have diabetes, and more repetitions may be required due to non-compliance with treatment objectives, which may impede the positive evolution of the patient.
How is the glycosylated hemoglobin test performed?
The test is recommended to be done first thing in the morning and can be done in two ways:
- Blood test
- Finger Prick
In an Investigation carried out by the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo, it is based that the analysis for the values of Hemoglobin A1c are through chromatographic, immunological methods by reading and electrophoresis.
With the extraction of this small blood sample, the level of Hemoglobin A1c is evaluated and through it the average value of glucose in the bloodstream can be measured in a period of up to 3 months prior to the analysis.
The results are obtained in percentages and the higher this, the higher the blood sugar level. It is recommended to avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages or vitamin C prior to performing the analysis so as not to alter the values.
Importance of performing the glycosylated hemoglobin test
Throughout the article, a foundation has been developed to understand that thanks to the importance of the Hemoglobin A1c test, progress is slowed down in diabetic patients or patients with clinical suspicion.
These have ranged from controlling blood glucose levels, controlling how the patient carries out the recommended treatment and reducing the high risk of possible complications in the body such as digestive and cardiovascular diseases, blindness, amputations, etc.
This analysis is definitely a very useful tool for diagnosing people with tentative risk and for determining the appropriate treatment for each type of patient.
It should be noted that to reduce or control HbA1c values, a pharmaceutical dose and a change in diet must be met, in addition to the fact that the addition of physical activity is also recommended.
In the same way, treatment supplements such as Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 are used to ensure the stability of the metabolism and the correct stimulation in the organism.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.