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Are Elevated Hba1c Levels Signs Of Diabetes?

Posted on Thu, 5 May 2016

Question: if the glucose levels are always normal but Hba1c is 7.1 than it is nothing but diabetes only ? if that's is the case then every time I have to get my hba1c levels checked as glucose levels will always be normal.

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can do a glucose tolerance test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HCM. I have gone through your questions and understand your concerns.

HbA1c if not done in a good lab may show abnormal values.
Do an oral glucose tolerance test. Do fasting blood glucose, take 75 gram of glucose powder and check blood glucose every hour for 3 hours.

If your fasting sugar is less than 100mg/dl and all the three after food blood glucose are less than 140 mg/dl, you should repeat the HbA1c in a better lab.

If HbA1c is still high you should do a continuous glucose monitoring (CGMS) to confirm you are diabetic.

Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further questions, I will be pleased to help you.

Regards
Dr Ajish TP

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajish TP (9 minutes later)

both fasting and post glucose levels were below 100 for me. In short you mean to say if the Hba1c levels are above 6.5 it should reflect in my glucose levels. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
See detailed answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

If HbA1c levels are high it should reflect in blood sugars.

The possibilities of high HbA1c with normal blood sugars are

1. Lab error ( most common)

2.You are having high blood sugars at evenings or at times we are not doing lab tests for sugar.

3. B12 or folate deficiencies ( rare causes of high HbA1c)

So I feel you should have your HbA1c rechecked in a good lab.

Regards
Dr Ajish TP

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar