What is a HbA1c Diabetes Test?
A haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is a blood test that shows what a person’s average blood sugar (glucose) level was over the past two to three months.
Glucose is a type of sugar in blood that comes from the foods we eat. Cells use glucose for energy. A hormone called insulin helps glucose get into cells. If a person has diabetes, their body doesn't make enough insulin, or their cells don't use it well. As a result, glucose can't get into their cells, so their blood sugar levels increase.
Glucose in blood sticks to haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. As blood glucose levels increase, more of haemoglobin will be coated with glucose. A HbA1C test measures the percentage of a person’s red blood cells that have glucose-coated haemoglobin.
A HbA1C test can show a person’s average glucose level for the past three months because:
• Glucose sticks to haemoglobin for as long as the red blood cells are alive.
• Red blood cells live for about three months.
The HbA1C screening service in the pharmacy involves taking a blood drop via a finger prick. The blood is then fed into a disc which is placed in a machine that analyses the blood. The machine will generate a result within approximately 5 minutes.
High HbA1C levels are a sign of high blood glucose from diabetes.
Do you need to fast for the HbA1c test?
No, you do not need to fast for the HbA1c test.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the test is €30.