Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of
your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
My doctor has always done the
HbA1c
test in his office, but this past visit their machine was broken so he sent off the blood work. Yesterday, I received a copy of the result which was 6.7% (Normal: 4.2 - 7.0%). They ran a Glycohemoglobin (GHb) which I had never heard of. The doctor have would called if he had wanted me on meds, but I just asked for a copy of my blood work, and no suggestion was attached (as it usually would be). I just don't understand this test.
Answer
The A1c and GHb measure the same thing. Both are indicative of the amount of glucose attached to the red blood cells and reflect the average blood glucose level for approximately the three-month period prior to the test. Normal ranges can vary slightly from lab to lab depending on the method used (and there are several).
The key for you here is that your level is in the normal range for the lab which performed the test so no intervention is needed.
