A1C TEST

Undergoing the A1C test is one of the early ways of diagnosing Diabetes and Prediabetes early enough. The A1C test is a blood test which reflects the average blood glucose levels of a person over the past three months. It does not in any way show daily fluctuations whatsoever. The A1C test is more reliable and convenient for patients than the traditional glucose tests. This is because you are not required to fast before performing the test. It can also be done at any time of the day.

The A1C test result is usually reported in terms of percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood glucose levels. A standard A1C level should be below 5.7 percent.

An A1C of between 5.7 and 6.4 percent signifies Prediabetes. Anyone diagnosed with Prediabetes can be retested after a year. If your A1C Test result is above 6.0 percent, precautions must be taken. You are considered to be at a very high risk of developing diabetes. If you measure 6.5 percent and above, then you have diabetes. People with an A1C below 5.7 percent are still at risk for diabetes. This depends on the presence of other characteristics known as risk factors.

Laboratory analysis. When using the A1C test for diagnosis, the blood samples are to be sent to a laboratory using a method already certified by the NGSP. This is to ensure the results are standardized.

Some abnormalities which may affect the result of the A1C test include People of African, Southeast Asian, or Mediterranean descent or people with family members with a thalassemia or sickle cell anemia.

However, not all of the A1C tests are defective for people with these diseases.  Further diagnosis should still be done.

False A1C test results may also transpire in people with some other problems which affect their blood or hemoglobin such as liver disease, chronic kidney disease, or anemia.

FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE TEST

The FPG test can also be used in detecting diabetes and Prediabetes. The FPG test more convenient and less expensive. The FPG test measures the blood glucose level in a person after the person has fasted for at least 8 hours. Best results are obtained if the test is done early in the morning.

People who show fasting glucose level of between 100 and 125 mg/dL have impaired fasting glucose (IFG), or Prediabetes. If a level of 126 mg/dL or above is obtained, it should be confirmed by repeating the test any other day. This means that such a person has diabetes.