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Complications of Increased Hgb A1c

Hgb A1c refers to glycosylated (or glycated) hemoglobin, which is hemoglobin that has interacted with glucose. It is more commonly represented as Hb A1c, with Hb being the symbol for hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is contained in red blood cells and transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, releasing it for use by the cells. Glucose is the simple sugar in blood, which is why it is typically referred to as "blood sugar." A high level of Hb A1c is the result of poor glucose control by the body and is indicative of diabetes.

  1. Acceptable Levels

    • The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) define normal levels of Hb A1c to be below 7 percent, while the American College of Endocrinology and the International Diabetes Federation define it to be 6.5 percent or less.

    High Levels

    • Higher levels of Hb A1c are a symptom of diabetes, which is a condition of elevated glucose levels in the blood. Higher levels of glucose in the blood will mean that more hemoglobin will be glycated. The test for levels of Hb A1c is a measurement of a person's blood sugar control over the 120-day cycle of red blood cells. The ADA recommends having this test done at least twice a year for nondiabetic patients and having regular monitoring for individuals who are pre-diabetic or diabetic.

    Significance

    • The complications of diabetes are serious and are sometimes deadly, which is why it is important to measure levels of Hb A1c to see how well your body is handling glucose levels in the blood. Higher levels mean that the body is not handling it well and puts you at risk for developing diabetes.

    Complications

    • The ADA and NIH report that the complications of high levels of Hb A1c can include:

      • Heart disease and stroke
      • Nerve damage
      • Eye diseases, including blindness
      • Erectile dysfunction
      • Kidney disease
      • Foot damage, including amputation
      • Skin disorders
      • Depression
      • Gastroparesis (which is when the stomach takes too long to empty its contents)

    Prevention

    • Diet and exercise are key to helping control weight, which is a major factor in the body's processing of glucose. Results of the ADA's Diabetes Prevention Program revealed that at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day and a 5 percent to 10 percent reduction in weight led to a 58 percent reduction in diabetes cases. The ADA also recommends regular monitoring of Hb A1c levels to determine whether an individual is at risk of entering a diabetic or pre-diabetic stage.

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