Understanding HbA1c (#knowingyourjargon)
Smooth RBCs are kind to your blood vessels, but sugary sticky ones damage the walls stimulating the inflammatory system that initiates cholesterol to be sent out from the liver to repair the damaged walls.
Red blood cells live 120 days. During that time they slowly accumulate glucose and the haemoglobin protein (most famous for transporting oxygen) becomes glycated.
This glycated haemoglobin is measured as a percentage (old measurements) or in mmol/mol
The test for this stickiness of red blood cells is called HbA1c
As a percentage less than 6% is normal.
More modern tests measure in mmol/mol where less than 42 is considered normal.
Diabetes is commonly diagnosed with HbA1c levels above 6.5% or 48 mmol
Unlike a random BSL, the A1c test looks at glucose control over a period of 3 months, and is accurate as a control monitoring test for diabetics.
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