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Hemoglobin A1c levels in Diabetes

Hemoglobin structure for a human, α in red and β is yellow. Green is the heme which binds oxygen to a human bloodstream.

Protein type	metalloproteinglobulin
Function	oxygen-transport

Hemoglobin A1c levels vary within a patient, from a healthy patient to a patient that has diabetes. Testings are done to see the blood sugar level of a patient with diabetes over the past 3 months. Due to the patients having diabetes, their blood sugar levels are higher than a normal patient, enabling them to have a high percentage of A1c. When testing a patient, the sought out levels of A1c is below 5.7%. Between 5.7% and 6.4% would be pre-diabetes, whereas any percent at or above 6.5% is the corresponding levels for patients with diabetes. When looking for the percentage of A1c and as the percentage increased, the higher the blood sugar level is, indicating that it is dangerous to remain in that state.

Hemoglobin

As a human body contains many proteins, hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells to the organs and tissues. While it carries oxygen, it also transports carbon dioxide from the organs and tissues back to the lungs. When hemoglobin levels are too low, it could be caused from iron deficiency, which prevents the production of hemoglobin.

Hemoglobins are made of four main components, two which are alpha-globulin chains and two beta-globulin chains. Each chain contains a heme. The hemes on the chains contain an Iron atom allows for transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Because of this, it grants the ability to give the color red from the iron being transported.

Glycated Hemoglobin

A1c is a type of hemoglobin that binds to glucose, where is it formed from the interactions between rede blood cells and sugars within the blood. When it becomes sugar attaches to blood, it becomes glycated hemoglobin, also known as A1c. The amount of A1c determines their average blood sugar levels, over the past 3 months as that is the life span of a red blood cell.

Levels of Hemoglobin A1c

HbA1c level is dependent on the amount of glucose present. The higher the glucose levels, there will be more A1c produced as the hemoglobin binds to the glucose. Over 2-3 months of measurement, if the average blood sugar is below 5.7%, then a patient is healthy and continue the diet they are on. If the average blood sugar is 6.5% or higher, they could be classified to be diabetic. In the case of someone with diabetes, the ideal range for them is 7%. If over the past 2-3 months, the average blood sugar is between the two amounts, <5.7% < X < 6.5%, then there is the possibility that the patient may be diagnosed with being prediabetic. For someone who is already has diabetes, knowing the levels of A1c will help keep the glucose levels under watch. With the levels of sugar being monitored by someone with diabetes, the ideal blood sugar level is below 140, where the lowest safe blood sugar level is 70 mg/dL.

Diagnostic Standard for HbA1C in Diabetes

HbA1C	Diagnosis
<5.7%	Normal
5.7-6.4%	Prediabetes
>6.5%	Diabetes

estimated Average Glucose (eAG) according to A1c
IF A1C % IS:	YOUR EAG IS:
6	126
6.5	140
7	154
7.5	169
8	183
8.5	197
9	212
9.5	226
10	240
10.5	255
11	269
11.5	283
12	298

Symptoms

Symptoms from having high blood sugar levels may consist of the following:

• increased thirst
• headaches
• blurred vision
• fatigue
• weight loss

Symptoms from having low blood sugar levels may consist of the following:

• shaking
• weakness
• headaches
• constant sweating
• feeling anxious

Under extreme circumstances, symptoms for having low or high blood sugar levels consist of the following:

• fainting
• seizure