In the early stages of diabetes, the body is still able to produce enough insulin to cope with the rise in blood sugar. When blood sugar rises suddenly, the islet cells respond quickly and secrete large amounts of insulin to lower blood sugar levels.
This rapid regulation mechanism can sometimes even lead to hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia. At this stage, blood glucose levels in the patient's body fluctuate widely, usually between 3 and 10 mmol/L.
This means that it is difficult to accurately reflect the overall trend and average level of blood sugar in the body simply by measuring blood glucose values at random.
Because blood sugar levels are affected by many factors, including diet, exercise, mood, etc., these factors can cause blood sugar to fluctuate wildly in a short period of time.
In order to assess a patient's blood sugar status more accurately, glycosylated hemoglobin has been introduced as an indicator in the medical community. The advantage of glycosylated hemoglobin is that it is not affected by short-term blood glucose fluctuations and is more reflective of the patient's long-term blood sugar control.
Therefore, glycosylated hemoglobin has become a very important reference index in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. By regularly monitoring glycosylated hemoglobin levels, doctors can understand the patient's glycemic control and adjust the treatment plan in time to avoid complications.
01
What is glycosylated hemoglobin?
Glycosylated hemoglobin, or HbA1c for short, is a special type of hemoglobin that acts as a "recorder" in the blood. When we ingest sugars in food, these sugars combine with hemoglobin in red blood cells in the blood to form glycosylated hemoglobin. This combination is an ongoing process, and it reflects the average level of blood sugar over the past two to three months.
This "recorder" function is important because it provides us with long-term, stable information about blood sugar control.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is more reflective of long-term trends in glycemic control than point-of-care measurement of blood glucose and is therefore considered an important indicator in diabetes management.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is measured, usually by a blood test. Since it is not affected by momentary fluctuations in blood sugar, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin can provide us with a valuable reference even after not eating or just after eating.
The significance of understanding glycosylated hemoglobin is not only about itself, but also about how it can help us better manage our health. For diabetic patients, regular monitoring of glycosylated hemoglobin levels can help assess the effectiveness of treatment and adjust treatment regimens to avoid complications and improve quality of life.
02
How much glycosylated hemoglobin has dropped, indicating that blood sugar is well controlled?
According to the current medical standards in mainland China, once the glycosylated hemoglobin level reaches or exceeds 6.5%, it is regarded as the basis for the diagnosis of diabetes.
As a result, many people naturally assume that diabetics should keep glycosylated hemoglobin levels below 6.5%. However, it's not that simple.
The 2020 edition of the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in China" clearly states that for the comprehensive control goal of diabetes patients, not all patients are required to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin to less than 6.5%.
In fact, glycosylated hemoglobin levels within 7.0% are sufficient in most patients. This is done in order to find a balance between cardiovascular protection and adverse effects.
Of course, blood sugar control goals for people with diabetes are not set in stone. Each person's situation is unique, so blood sugar control goals should be individualized.
For example, for patients who are young, have a short course of disease, have a long life expectancy, have no complications, and have cardiovascular disease, controlling glycosylated hemoglobin below 6.5% is a desirable goal.
However, for patients with a long course of disease and pre-existing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction, their glycosylated hemoglobin control target may need to be relaxed to less than 8.0%.
For some elderly patients with poor overall health, their glycosylated hemoglobin control target can even be further relaxed to less than 9.0%.
03
What should I do if my glycosylated hemoglobin is not up to standard?
Glycosylated hemoglobin, an important indicator of glycemic control, may not be up to the mark, which may mean that our diet, exercise, or medication regimen needs to be adjusted.
In terms of diet, we should pay more attention to food choices and intake. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat and increase your intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. At the same time, consume high-quality proteins, such as lean meats, fish, and legumes, in moderation to maintain a balanced diet.
When it comes to exercise, proper exercise can help improve the body's utilization of glucose, which can lower blood sugar levels. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. When exercising, you should avoid overexertion according to your own situation.
In terms of pharmacotherapy, if dietary and exercise modifications do not achieve glycosylated hemoglobin targets, adjustment of drug regimen may be considered. It is important to make medication adjustments under the guidance of your doctor to ensure that the choice of medication dosage and type is appropriate for your specific situation.
In addition, psychological adjustment is equally important. In the face of glycosylated hemoglobin not meeting the target, we need to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and believe that we have the ability to overcome this challenge.
At the same time, learn to listen to your body, pay attention to the changes in your body, adjust your lifestyle in time, and make health the main theme of our life.