What is hemoglobin A1C | What are ketones | How do ketones develop | Reasons for the formation of ketone bodies
What is hemoglobin A1C
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a special indicator that reflects the average glucose level over the last 3-4 months. Red blood cells or rather, the substance they contain, hemoglobin, bind to glucose in the blood.
The higher the concentration of glucose in the blood, the more altered hemoglobin in red blood cells. Glycated hemoglobin reflects the percentage of blood hemoglobin irreversibly connected to glucose molecules.
Any change in blood glucose will affect the level of glycated hemoglobin.
You may ask: how does this indicator differ from the average glucose level that is displayed on your meter?
Glycated hemoglobin reflects absolutely all glucose values for 3-4 months.
What is more accurate – the average value from 100 measurements or from a million?
If this indicator fell in the range from 6% to 7.5% – this indicates that, in general, your glucose level was good for 3-4 months and the risk of developing chronic complications of diabetes is very low.
In order to calculate the target level for you glycated hemoglobin – use the calculator.
What are ketones (blood, urine)
Ketones are special substances that are produced in the body when it lacks insulin.
Check urine and / or blood ketones for any impairment, fever, or nausea or vomiting.
How do ketones develop
- Due to a deficiency of insulin, glucose does not enter the cells, there is a lack of energy (insulin is the key that opens the door to the glucose cell).
- The body cannot use glucose as “fuel” and begins to look for another “fuel”. Fats begin to break down and so-called KETONE BODIES are formed.
- Ketones can make up for energy deficits but are toxic. The more they are in the blood, the more it “acidifies”. An acute complication of diabetes mellitus may occur – DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS.
- Trying to get rid of ketones, the body removes them with urine.
There are special test strips to determine the level of ketones in the urine. You can also determine their content in the blood.
Reasons for the formation of ketone bodies
Hunger causing ketones
- A weakly positive result in the analysis of urine for ketones, the level of blood glucose is within normal values.
- There is enough insulin in the body, but few carbohydrates from food. “Hungry” ketones occur in people without diabetes.
- In this case, you just need to take food containing carbohydrates.
Ketone bodies as a result of insulin deficiency
- You have elevated blood glucose levels, a urine test for ketones is positive.
- The reason is insulin deficiency.
- You need extra insulin!
- Enter an additional unit of insulin per 1 kg of body weight. That is, if you weigh, for example, 60 kg, then you must additionally introduce 6 units of insulin. This dose is designed to lower blood glucose and neutralize ketones in the blood.
- Watch yourself (control blood glucose, urine ketones). You may need to do another insulin injection in a couple of hours.
- If you feel a deterioration in well-being, then hospitalization is necessary.