Glycated hemoglobin tests carry (memory) of the average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months, because the hemoglobin has an approximate 90-day life. Estimated Average Glucose (eAG) helps understand A1C better.
Red blood cell contains hemoglobin its job is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Hemoglobin, like all proteins, links up with sugars such as glucose.
If the blood glucose is high, this excess glucose enters into red blood cells and links up (glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin. If there is more glucose in blood, then more hemoglobin got glycated. This measure gives average blood glucose for past 2 to 3 months. We must thank this hemoglobin glycates, because they act as memory and present us an average blood-glucose value.
How A1C did carry average blood-glucose for 3 months?
Hemoglobin containing red blood cell has a life span of approximately 90-days. If one’s blood glucose is maintaining high in the first month, then more hemoglobin, get glycated with excess glucose. Suppose in the next two-month blood-glucose level in maintaining in normal, and then there will not be any excess of glucose get glycated with hemoglobin. Still first months glycated hemoglobin’s are, even so, available in the blood.
As said before once the life span of hemoglobin containing red blood cell has completed, it replaces with the newer one. Thus, old glycated hemoglobin data are updates. Thereby, A1C blood test shows the mean value of blood-glucose level for last 90-days or three months.
Estimated Average Glucose (eAG)
Estimated Average Glucose (eAG) is a new easy way to understand how best you are managing your diabetes. How does it relate to A1C?
A1C in percentage converted to eAG may help understand better how well you control your diabetes. This helps you know what modifications you may need to take to healthy blood-glucose control.
The A1C test and eAG conversion helps to monitor the glucose level control of diabetics over time. The diabetic’s goal is to keep their blood-glucose levels near normal. This helps to minimize the diabetes complications caused by long term of elevated glucose levels.