Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test (Hemoglobin A1c)
(
Prueba de hemoglobina glucosilada (hemoglobina A1c)
)
Hemoglobin is the substance inside red blood cells that carries
oxygen to the cells of the body. Glucose (a type of sugar)
molecules in the
blood
normally become stuck to hemoglobin molecules - this means the
hemoglobin has become glycosylated (also referred to as hemoglobin
A1c, or HbA1c). As a person's blood sugar becomes higher, more
of the person's hemoglobin becomes glycosylated. The glucose
remains attached to the hemoglobin for the life of the red blood
cell, or about 2 to 3 months.
A blood test can measure the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin
in the blood. The glycosylated hemoglobin test shows what a
person's average blood glucose level was for the 2 to 3 months
before the test. This can help determine how well a person's
diabetes is being controlled over time.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.