Hemoglobin A1c: What are the main symptoms of its elevated levels in the body?

- Glucose is a type of sugar found in the blood, and it is derived from the foods a person eats. The body's cells use glucose for energy, with a hormone called "insulin" helping to transport glucose into the cells.

In the case of diabetes, according to the MedlinePlus website of the National Library of Medicine in the U.S., the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not use it efficiently; as a result, glucose cannot enter the cells, leading to elevated levels in the blood. The glucose present in the blood binds to hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells.

As blood glucose levels rise, the amount of hemoglobin bound to glucose increases. The A1C test measures the percentage of red blood cells that contain hemoglobin bound to glucose.

The A1C test can indicate a person's average glucose level over the past three months because glucose remains bound to hemoglobin for the lifespan of red blood cells, which is approximately three months. High levels of A1C are an indicator of elevated blood glucose levels due to diabetes, which can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

However, blood glucose levels can be managed through treatment and lifestyle changes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an A1C test to screen for diabetes and prediabetes in the following cases: if a person is over 45 years old; if a person is under 45 years old but is at increased risk for diabetes for the following reasons: a person may also need to undergo an A1C test if they exhibit symptoms of diabetes, such as: