HbA1c Check Should You Fast Or Not? Know The Complete Information

Illustration of HbA1c test (Unsplash/Kate)

JAKARTA – Glycohemoglobin or HbA1c is a test performed to monitor blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. This test is carried out to be an indicator of treatment or carrying out a healthy lifestyle, especially those that have been lived by someone with diabetes.

This means that in addition to testing the level of glucose in the blood, a person with diabetes needs an HbA1c test to determine whether drugs, diet, exercise, and therapy affect blood sugar.

Because the Glycohemoglobin test is different from the blood sugar test that can be done every day when is the right time for an HbA1c test?

For those of you who have diabetes, it is necessary to do an HbA1c test. This is useful for reviewing and evaluating how much of a positive influence lifestyle and medications taken every day have.

This hemoglobin A1C examination shows the average level of glucose in the blood for the last 2 to 3 months. Blood sugar levels in red blood cells in normal people range below 5.7 percent. For someone with prediabetes between 5.7 – 6.4 percent and diabetes above 6.5 percent.

The HbA1c test can be done every 3-6 months, if the glucose level in red blood cells is good, the risk of complications is minimal. This test is indeed more accurate than fasting blood sugar tests, random or after eating, which can be done at any time.

Unlike the 2-hour glucose tolerance test, the HbA1c test can be performed at any time and without fasting. The test is also less affected by drugs that affect glucose metabolism.

But when a person has anemia, hypertriglyceridemia, liver and kidney disease, and post blood transfusion, the test results will not show according to the condition.

To find out anything that needs to be considered related to other conditions in the body, it's best to consult a doctor who knows your medical record.

In the book Segala Sesuatu yang Harus Anda Ketahui Tentang Diabetes by H. Tandra published in 2008, the HbA1c test is useful for monitoring a person's indiscipline in dieting. Especially if it does not show changes in glucose levels in hemoglobin in the long term.

Glycohemoglobin or HbA1c tests can be done in hospitals or other health facilities. While the cost for the HbA1c test is between IDR 160,000 – IDR 200,000.

The way to reduce HbA1c levels is to be disciplined in living a healthy lifestyle according to their respective conditions. Because everyone has a different body condition, diligent control and consultation with experts are recommended to measure how successful you are in controlling diabetes.

The most important thing to keep sugar levels in red blood cells below 6.5 percent is to live a healthy lifestyle, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress.