Dr Miriam: DOC'S SWEET ON SUGAR TEST.

Byline: Miriam Stoppard

Dear Miriam

I'M a diabetic, on a diet and I take tablets. My doctor arranged a glycated haemoglobin test and it came back high, so he increased my medication to lower it. What is this test and why does he think it's so important?

THE simple haemoglobin HbA1c test shows the average amount of sugar in your blood over the last two to three months.

It's the best way to find out if your blood sugar is under control. If your treatment changes, or if your blood-sugar level stays too high, you should get a haemoglobin A1c test at least every three months until your blood-sugar level improves.

Regular testing will help you and your doctor to track your blood-sugar levels over time and plan long-term treatment to reach your target level of control.

Because your red blood cells live for three to four months, your blood tells the history of your glucose level over the last few months. For example, if your levels weren't in control three weeks ago, glycated haemoglobin will persist in the blood cells that were active at that time.

If your blood sugar tends to go up at night, when you're less likely to self-monitor, your HbA1c test will indicate a higher average level of blood sugar than you found through self-monitoring.

The haemoglobin A1c goal for people with type 2 diabetes is less than 7 per cent, because people who keep their haemoglobin A1c levels close to 7 per cent have a much better chance of delaying or preventing complications that affect the eyes, kidneys and nerves.

Intensive blood glucose control significantly reduces risk of major diabetic eye disease and early kidney damage.

You can do a lot to bring down a high blood-sugar level and get it under control. Lowering your haemoglobin A1c levels by any amount improves your chances of staying healthy.

To get your blood sugar under control, follow a daily diet plan, stick to a physical activity programme, and take your prescribed type 2 diabetes medicines.