How do genetic factors cause diabetes?

July 31, 2023 by Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by insufficient insulin production or impaired insulin action. It affects millions of people worldwide and is a major health concern. While lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and obesity are important in the development of diabetes, genetic factors are also important. Read on to explore the science behind the genetic basis of diabetes and how certain genetic factors contribute to the development of this condition.

Understanding Diabetes and Its Types

Before delving into the genetic factors, it’s essential to understand the two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, usually develops in childhood or early adulthood. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body produces little to no insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia. The role of genetic susceptibility in the development of Type 1 diabetes is critical.

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and is primarily associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, sedentary behavior, and poor dietary choices. However, genetics also plays a role in Type 2 diabetes, as certain genetic variants can increase the risk of developing the condition.

Can You Inherit Diabetes?

Family and twin studies have provided substantial evidence supporting the heritability of diabetes. Individuals with a family history of diabetes are at a higher risk of developing the disease. While genetic factors do not solely determine the onset of diabetes, they interact with environmental factors to increase the chance of getting it.

The Genes Involved in Type 1 Diabetes

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Genes:

The HLA genes, located on chromosome 6, encode proteins responsible for regulating the immune system. Certain HLA variants, such as HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4, are associated with an increased risk of Type 1 diabetes. These variants are thought to influence immune responses and increase autoimmune attacks on insulin-producing cells.

Insulin Gene (INS) and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) Gene:

The INS gene encodes insulin, and specific variants may affect insulin production. On the other hand, the CTLA-4 gene is involved in regulating immune responses.

The Genes Involved in Type 2 Diabetes

Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 (TCF7L2) Gene:

The TCF7L2 gene plays a crucial role in beta cell function and insulin signaling. Certain variants of this gene impair insulin secretion and reduce the blood sugar response to insulin.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs):

PPARs are a group of genes involved in regulating glucose and lipid digestion and usage in the body.

Melatonin Receptor 1B (MTNR1B) Gene:

The MTNR1B gene encodes a receptor involved in the regulation of the sleep hormone melatonin. Variants of this gene have been associated with impaired insulin secretion and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

External Factors That Affect Your Diabetes Genes:

In addition to genetic variations, epigenetic modifications (changes in gene activity due to external factors) can influence gene expression and increase diabetes risk. Epigenetic changes are alterations in gene activity that do not involve changes in the underlying DNA. Environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle can induce epigenetic modifications that contribute to diabetes development.

How Can I Prevent Diabetes When I am Genetically Prone To It?

Preventing the onset of diabetes is essential for maintaining good health and reducing the risk of developing this chronic condition. While genetics can play a role, lifestyle choices have a significant impact on diabetes risk. Let us see how to prevent diabetes from starting in the first place:

Weight Management:

Being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk. Focus on portion control, include plenty of vegetables and fruits in your diet, and limit high-calorie and sugary foods.

Engage in Regular Physical Activity:

Regular exercise, yoga, Zumba, pilates, or simply daily physical activities is crucial for preventing diabetes. It improves insulin sensitivity, helps maintain a healthy weight, and lowers blood sugar levels.

Choose Whole Grains and Fiber-Rich Foods:

Opt for whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, and oats instead of refined grains. Whole grains are rich in fiber, which slows down the absorption of sugars and helps regulate blood sugar levels. High-fiber foods also promote a feeling of fullness, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Limit Added Sugars and Sweets:

Reduce your consumption of sugary beverages, candies, pastries, and desserts. Added sugars can quickly spike blood sugar levels and contribute to insulin resistance over time. Choose healthier alternatives like fresh fruits when you have a sweet craving.

Stay Hydrated with Water:

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain overall health and can assist with weight management. Avoid sugary drinks, as they contribute to empty calories and can lead to weight gain.

Consume Healthy Fats:

Focus on incorporating healthy fats into your diet, such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil. These fats can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.

Manage Stress:

Chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalances and negatively affect blood sugar levels. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or spending time in nature to help manage stress.

Sleep Well:

Poor sleep patterns can disrupt insulin sensitivity and lead to imbalances in hunger hormones, increasing the risk of diabetes. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night.

Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake:

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, as it can impair insulin sensitivity. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain and negatively impact blood sugar levels. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Regular Health Check-ups:

Visit your diabetologist for routine check-ups and blood tests to monitor your blood sugar levels and overall health. Early detection of prediabetes can help prevent the progression to Type 2 diabetes with appropriate lifestyle changes.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a multifaceted condition resulting from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. While genetic factors alone do not determine diabetes onset, they significantly contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to the disease. Understanding the genetic basis of diabetes opens new avenues for personalized treatment and prevention strategies.

Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

Dr Nikhil Prabhu is a consultant Diabetologist from mumbai. he has been practicing for more than 10 years and currently over 7000 patients are under his treatment for diabetes and thyroid disorder from mumbai and navi mumbai area. | you can book his appointment for tele-consultation on 9082523295 | follow us on YouTube for more diabetes & health related tips

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How Heart failure is different from Heart attack?

June 11, 2023June 10, 2023 by Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

Heart failure and heart attack are two distinct medical conditions that affect the heart, but they differ in their causes, symptoms, and mechanisms. Here’s a comparison:

Causes:
- Heart Failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart’s pumping function becomes impaired, leading to the heart’s inability to effectively circulate blood and meet the body’s demands. It can be caused by various factors, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), congenital heart defects, and other conditions that affect the heart.
- Heart Attack: A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, happens when a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. The blockage cuts off the blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle, resulting in tissue damage or death. The most common cause of a heart attack is the rupture or formation of a blood clot on a pre-existing atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries.
Mechanism:
- Heart Failure: Heart failure refers to the heart’s inability to pump blood adequately, leading to a decrease in cardiac output. This reduced pumping efficiency can affect either the left side or the right side of the heart, or both. Heart failure often involves a combination of factors, such as weakened heart muscle, increased workload on the heart, or impaired relaxation and filling of the heart chambers.
- Heart Attack: A heart attack occurs due to the sudden interruption of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle. The blockage in a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients, leading to ischemia (lack of blood supply) and subsequent tissue damage. Prompt restoration of blood flow is crucial to prevent further injury to the heart muscle.
Symptoms:
- Heart Failure: The symptoms of heart failure can vary but often include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen, rapid or irregular heartbeat, persistent cough or wheezing, reduced ability to exercise, and a feeling of congestion or fluid retention.
- Heart Attack: The symptoms of a heart attack commonly include chest pain or discomfort (which may radiate to the arm, neck, jaw, back, or stomach), shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, and anxiety. However, it’s important to note that heart attacks can present differently in different individuals, and some may experience atypical symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Treatment:
- Heart Failure: The management of heart failure involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications (e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers), and, in some cases, interventions like cardiac resynchronization therapy, implantable devices (e.g., pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators), or heart transplantation.
- Heart Attack: The immediate treatment for a heart attack involves restoring blood flow to the blocked coronary artery, typically through procedures such as angioplasty with stenting or thrombolytic therapy to dissolve the clot. Medications, such as antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors, are commonly prescribed to prevent further complications and manage the underlying causes.

In summary, heart failure refers to the heart’s inability to pump blood adequately, while a heart attack is caused by a blockage in a coronary artery. Although they can share similar symptoms, they have different causes, mechanisms, and treatment approaches. It’s important to consult with cardiologist & Diabetologist for accurate diagnosis, appropriate management, and individualized care.

Here are some more details about heart failure and heart attack:

Heart Failure:

Types: Heart failure can be categorized into two main types: systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure. Systolic heart failure occurs when the heart’s ability to contract and pump blood is weakened, whereas diastolic heart failure refers to the heart’s inability to relax and fill with blood properly.
Stages: Heart failure is often classified into four stages based on the severity of symptoms and functional limitations. This classification system, called the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, ranges from Stage I (mild symptoms with no limitation of physical activity) to Stage IV (severe symptoms even at rest).
Fluid Retention: One of the hallmark features of heart failure is fluid retention, leading to swelling in various parts of the body. This fluid buildup occurs because the heart’s pumping action is weakened, and blood can back up into the veins, causing congestion in organs such as the lungs, liver, and extremities.
Complications: Heart failure can lead to various complications, including pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs), arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), kidney problems, liver dysfunction, and increased risk of blood clots.

Heart Attack:

Types: Heart attacks can be classified based on the location and extent of the affected area. The most common type is a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which occurs when a complete blockage forms in a coronary artery. Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMIs) are less severe, as the blockage is usually partial or temporary.
Ischemic Cascade: During a heart attack, the blockage in the coronary artery leads to a cascade of events known as the ischemic cascade. Initially, there is insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle, leading to ischemia. This causes the heart muscle cells to undergo injury and, if left untreated, can progress to irreversible damage (necrosis).
Diagnosis: The diagnosis of a heart attack often involves a combination of clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart activity, blood tests (such as cardiac enzyme tests) to detect heart muscle damage, and imaging techniques like angiography or echocardiography to visualize the coronary arteries and assess heart function.
Complications: Heart attacks can lead to several complications, including heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias), heart failure, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock (a state of inadequate blood supply to organs), and damage to other organs like the kidneys or brain.

It’s important to remember that while heart failure and heart attacks are distinct conditions, they can coexist or occur as a consequence of one another. For instance, a heart attack can lead to heart muscle damage and subsequently result in heart failure. Prompt medical attention and appropriate management are crucial for both conditions to improve outcomes and quality of life.

FAQ:

does heart failure cause heart attack ?

Heart failure itself does not directly cause a heart attack. However, the conditions that can lead to heart failure, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), can also increase the risk of a heart attack.

Coronary artery disease is a common cause of both heart failure and heart attacks. In CAD, the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle can become narrowed or blocked by the buildup of fatty plaques. This narrowing restricts blood flow to the heart, which can lead to symptoms of angina (chest pain) and an increased risk of heart attack.

If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked by a blood clot due to the rupture of a plaque, it can cause a heart attack. The blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a portion of the heart muscle, leading to tissue damage or death in that area.

While heart failure and heart attacks can coexist, it’s important to note that heart failure is primarily a chronic condition resulting from the heart’s reduced ability to pump blood effectively, while a heart attack is an acute event caused by a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. The presence of heart failure may increase the risk and severity of a heart attack, but it doesn’t directly cause a heart attack.

Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

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The Sweetheart Connection: Does Diabetes Cause Heart Disease?

May 25, 2023 by Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

The Sweetheart Connection: Does Diabetes Cause Heart Disease?

Table of contents

Introduction
Does Diabetes Cause Heart Disease?
Diabetic heart attack symptoms
Diabetic heart failure symptoms
The best diet for diabetes patients and heart health
Conclusion
FAQs
Can diabetes lead to heart attack?
Can diabetes cause a weak heart?
Why do heart patients get diabetes?

Introduction

Diabetes may not dampen your spirits, but diabetes-related heart disease might! High blood sugar levels come with side effects that ruin every part of the human body. But if the epicenter of life, the heart, is at risk, then you definitely need to be worried. Does Diabetes Cause Heart Disease? Science says that people with diabetes have a twofold increased risk of heart disease and stroke (blocked blood flow or bleeding in the brain) than non-diabetics. This association becomes stronger with age. However, the best diet for diabetes and heart health accompanied by an active, stress-free lifestyle, can halt this deadly process.

Does Diabetes Cause Heart Disease?

High blood sugar levels, otherwise called hyperglycemia, itself is the cause of heart disease in diabetics. Persistently high sugar levels in the blood boost metabolism in the body’s cells. The amount of metabolism is higher than usual, leading to the accumulation of metabolic products and the formation of free radicals. Free radicals damage the walls of blood vessels like arteries and capillaries; eventually, they also affect delicate nerve tissues. The oxygen and nutrient supply to the muscles of the heart gradually diminish, leading to heart stiffness and dilatation (swelling) of the blood-pumping chambers in the heart. These critical tissue changes result in heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

Diabetes increases the likelihood of various other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease in a person. Common heart diseases in diabetics are coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, peripheral artery disease (PAD), cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

Let us understand some of these risk factors that also contribute to the diabetes-heart link:

● Elevated blood pressure

High blood pressure forces too much blood to flow through the arteries. A weak artery, such as those found in diabetics, can worsen heart damage and cause problems.

● An abnormally high cholesterol

Plaques made of cholesterol accumulate on the walls of arteries. Deposits further narrow an arterial wall that is already vulnerable in diabetics. This causes a significant reduction in blood flow, particularly to the brain and the heart, which can lead to complications like heart attacks and strokes.

● Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of high cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as fat deposits in the artery walls. These are all warning signs of impending heart disease.

● Sedentary lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle increases the chance of obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure).

● Regularly consuming meals heavy in sodium (salt), trans fat, cholesterol, and saturated fat

A diet full of fast food and junk is high in sugar, salt, and fat. These could be key players in weight gain and high blood sugar levels.

● Too much alcohol and smoking

Alcoholics and smokers are predisposed to hypertension and high cholesterol levels. Diabetics should avoid these detrimental habits.

● Familial heart disease history

A few diabetics could be genetically prone to heart diseases and congenital heart problems.

Diabetic Heart Attack Symptoms

Patients with diabetes are more likely to experience heart disease, which can cause a heart attack. Diabetics may experience different heart attack symptoms than non-diabetics. But why?

In diabetics, high blood sugar levels frequently result in severe nerve damage. This explains why neuropathies are prevalent in them. Due to similar reasons, all the symptoms of a heart attack seem less severe in diabetics. The associated chest pain is mild, with tightness of breath and sweating. There is a sudden rise in blood sugar that is also noticed.

Diabetic heart failure symptoms

Heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped pumping blood. It means that the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently.

Heart diseases in diabetics frequently culminate in heart failure. This may cause your legs to swell and cause fluid to accumulate in your lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Other signs could be dizziness, fatigue, and fainting. On examination, irregular heartbeats and heart rhythm are seen (arrhythmia).

The best diet for Patients with diabetes and heart health

It isn’t difficult to manage diabetes, let alone diabetic-related heart disease. If you are in your forties, then it’s time you step up and take good care of yourself. The best diet for those with diabetes and heart disease is one that focuses on whole, unprocessed foods while limiting or avoiding foods that are heavily processed, and high in sugar and fat.

Follow our ABCDE rule of 5 to say bye-bye to “Does diabetes cause heart disease?”

A – Monitor your HbA1c levels 3-4 times a year. Apart from that, at-home glucose testing is vital for diabetics who are on insulin therapy.

B – Maintain your Blood pressure levels.

C – Keep a check on your Cholesterol levels.

D – Do away with sitting and bingeing. Get up, be active, exercise, move around, and lose those extra pounds!

E – Exit from overindulgence. Avoid drinking alcohol too often and quit smoking.

The best diet for diabetes and heart health would include the following:

While being high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, fruits and vegetables are low in calories.

Fiber and nutrients are abundant in whole grains. Examples include brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain bread, and pasta.

Lean proteins that have minimal saturated fat are good protein options, including fish, chicken, and plant-based foods like beans, lentils, and nuts.

Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, almonds, and seeds

Reduce your intake of processed foods like ready-to-eat mixes, canned foods, and different sauces and spreads. These foods have high levels of salt, sugar, and harmful fats.

Conclusion

Does diabetes cause heart disease? Now that you know that, as a middle-aged diabetic, the chances of you developing heart disease are high, why not be proactive to stop it? You can take steps to mitigate this risk. Apart from the best diet for diabetes and heart health, you should consult your diabetologist periodically to find out any early signs and symptoms of heart disease.

FAQs

Can diabetes lead to heart attack?

Yes, diabetes can cause heart diseases that lead to a heart attack. High blood sugar makes the blood vessels fragile and inefficient. Consistently poor blood supply to the heart stiffens the heart muscles and forms blood clots that cause a heart attack.

Can diabetes cause a weak heart?

Yes, diabetes can result in diabetic cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes a weak heart. It can present with symptoms of early exhaustion. Fatigue, gasping for breath, dizziness, and fainting

Why do heart patients get diabetes?

Diabetes can develop in heart patients due to risk factors that are shared by both, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Several drugs used to treat heart problems can also make you more susceptible to developing diabetes.

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Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

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Decoding HbA1c: A Key Indicator for Diabetes

May 23, 2023 by Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

Decoding HbA1c : A Key Indicator for Diabetes

Are you still fasting in the morning before sample collection, hoping for an accurate blood sugar report?

Then its time to understand the significance of HbA1c. As a diabetic or pre-diabetic, closely monitoring
your blood sugar levels is mandatory. When you consult your diabetologist next, he must see if your blood sugar levels have been consistent. These blood sugar levels should hold true irrespective of what
you eat or drink daily. That’s where HbA1c comes in!

What is “significance of HbA1c”?

An individual’s average blood glucose levels over two to three months can be determined by analyzing
the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in their blood. Confusing?

Let’s break it up!

The term “glycated hemoglobin” or HbA1c refers to the hemoglobin (Hb) that randomly links (glycates) with red blood cells. The likelihood of this connection occurring increases when blood glucose levels are high. The amount of HbA1c in the bloodstream can be used to estimate the average blood glucose level throughout a period of 120 days since that is the average lifespan of a red blood cell (RBC) in the blood.

HbA1c values are higher in diabetics because they often have more available blood glucose.

Importance of HbA1c in diabetes

The HbA1c test procedure is the gold standard for monitoring blood sugar levels. The HbA1c level is
now suggested as a standard of care (SOC) for testing and monitoring diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes.

But don’t fasting blood sugar reports and post-prandial blood sugar levels give you similar results?

The goal of the fasting blood glucose test is to determine how much glucose is present in your blood
after you’ve fasted for at least 8 hours and no more than 16 hours. A non-diabetic person’s fasting blood sugar level should ideally not be higher than 100 mg/dL.

Post-prandial blood glucose testing is done to determine how your blood sugar levels have changed
following a meal. It typically takes place two hours after eating. The target postprandial blood glucose
level should be less than 140 mg/dL.

Yet diabetologists swear by the significance of HbA1c. This is because of the following:

● HbA1c levels are unaffected by what you eat or drink. It is not determined by how long you fast
or when you eat.
● High cortisol levels in stress, anxiety, and poor mental health conditions do not affect HbA1c
levels.
● It is unaffected by transient hormonal peaks since it is a marker of long-term blood sugar levels.
● Studies show that it can be used by the vast majority of people worldwide with zero to minimal
variability among different ethnic origins and genetic inheritance.
● At the normal body temperature of 98.4℉, HbA1c is a more stable form of glucose than the frank
glucose molecules in the blood.
● It does not need any preparation. If your diabetologist detects signs and symptoms of diabetes,
you can get the HbA1c test done immediately.
● It tells us how well your diabetes is being managed; it is hard to fool your doctor that way!
● It indicates if you are prone to other diabetes-related health conditions.

However, certain conditions can alter the physiology of red blood cells, for example, anemia. Anemia
results in reduced hemoglobin quality and can give false HbA1c results.

HbA1c test procedure

The diabetologist can order this test as a routine procedure. Usually, you don’t need to be on an empty
stomach for the sample collection for HbA1c, unless the doctor wants to specifically monitor your fasting
blood sugar as well.

The concerned lab technician will draw blood from your arm and send it to a lab for HbA1c testing.
Finger prick tests require a single drop of blood to provide a reading, making them more practical for
children or those who have trouble delivering more extensive blood samples.

What is the best time for HbA1c test?

If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, pregnancy-associated diabetes, fluctuating HbA1c
readings, a change of medications or insulin dosages, or have a history of hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar), your doctor may advise quarterly monitoring (every 3 months).

Given that HbA1c is a measurement of average blood sugar over three months, performing HbA1c more
than four times a year makes no sense.

Understanding the HbA1c normal range

This is the tricky part since most of you need help understanding the readings. Today we shall study how
to read the reports together.

Typically, HbA1c is expressed as a percentage or in mmol/mol (mili-mols per mol). For instance, suppose your HbA1c is written as 6.6% (NGSP) and 49 mmol/mol (IFCC), it means that there are 49 molecules of glycated hemoglobin, or HbA1c, per 1000 hemoglobin (Hb) molecules. The same thing as a percentage is expressed as 6.6%.

Clinics are going towards using IFCC (2003) as the suggested measurement because it is more recent and precise. NGSP (1996) is an earlier study that focuses more on clinical outcomes than accuracy.

The Australian Diabetes Society, came up with a conversion table to help people worldwide in reading
the HbA1c values.

● NGSP value = 0.09148 × (IFCC value)+ 2.152
● IFCC value = 10.93 × (NGSP value) – 23.50

Scientific research clearly states the normal range for the HbA1c test procedure. The ranges are as
follows:

● The A1c range for a person without diabetes is 4% to 6%.
● A1c levels in diabetics will usually be in the range of 6.5% (47 mmol/mol).
● A1c ranges from 5.7% to 6.4% (39–46 mmol/mol) in pre-diabetes (a higher chance of developing
diabetes in the future).

HbA1c alone, might not be sufficient to identify diabetes. Other health factors and tests contribute to the
diagnosis.

Factors that can affect the HbA1c test procedure

Since HbA1c is dependent on hemoglobin, it can vary with all the factors that affect the quantity and
quality of hemoglobin in the blood. To discuss some of these factors:

1. Genetic variants of hemoglobin

Hemoglobin variations occur in certain diseases; hemoglobin S is seen in sickle cell anemia, and
hemoglobin E in beta-thalassemia. Results for HbA1c in those with high levels of hemoglobin variations
can be unreliable.

2. Gender

Studies suggest that glycated hemoglobin is well-defined in men only after a significant increase in blood sugar levels
and fat deposition in the body.

3. Age

HbA1c levels rise with age, even in the absence of diabetes. HbA1c is 0.5% higher in people over 70
years old as compared to those who are younger.

4. A recent blood donation

HbA1c drops following a blood donation. Therefore, after blood donation, even in diabetic patients,
HbA1c levels are probably going to be low.

5. Pregnancy

Studies suggest that in a typical, non-diabetic pregnancy, HbA1c values fall during the second trimester
and climb during the third.

Takeaway

The significance of HbA1c is a useful tool for diabetics to forecast their long-term health. Still, a high
reading may not necessarily indicate poor blood sugar maintenance and a good reading does not
guarantee that diabetes will not have long-term effects on you.

FAQ

What happens when HbA1c is high?

When HbA1c levels are high, it indicates that the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months
have been elevated. If left untreated, high HbA1c levels can lead to various complications, such as an
increased risk of heart disease, eye damage, blindness, kidney damage, and slow wound healing. Use at-
home glucose monitoring and a healthy diet to help you manage diabetes.

What foods reduce Glycated Hb?

Foods that can help lower HbA1c levels include non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, beans and
legumes, fruits, nuts and seeds, and lean protein sources. Incorporating these foods into a healthy diet can help to regulate your blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

Is fasting required for hba1c test?

No its last 3 months average blood glucose test and can be done anytime.

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Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )

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Understanding Diabetes and Its Types

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 2 Diabetes:

Can You Inherit Diabetes?

The Genes Involved in Type 1 Diabetes

The Genes Involved in Type 2 Diabetes

External Factors That Affect Your Diabetes Genes:

How Can I Prevent Diabetes When I am Genetically Prone To It?

Conclusion

Related posts:

Causes:

Mechanism:

Symptoms:

Treatment:

Heart Failure:

Heart Attack:

FAQ:

Related posts:

Introduction

Does Diabetes Cause Heart Disease?

● Elevated blood pressure

● An abnormally high cholesterol

● Obesity

● Sedentary lifestyle

● Regularly consuming meals heavy in sodium (salt), trans fat, cholesterol, and saturated fat

● Too much alcohol and smoking

● Familial heart disease history

Diabetic Heart Attack Symptoms

Diabetic heart failure symptoms

The best diet for Patients with diabetes and heart health

Follow our ABCDE rule of 5 to say bye-bye to “Does diabetes cause heart disease?”

The best diet for diabetes and heart health would include the following:

Conclusion

FAQs

if you like this article, share it with your friends

Related posts:

Decoding HbA1c : A Key Indicator for Diabetes

Are you still fasting in the morning before sample collection, hoping for an accurate blood sugar report?

What is “significance of HbA1c”?

Importance of HbA1c in diabetes

HbA1c test procedure

What is the best time for HbA1c test?

Factors that can affect the HbA1c test procedure

Related posts: