Hb - what is it and how do you measure it?

[Seabreeze]

Is it just another term for blood sugars or is it something else?

 

[grovesy]

HbA1C is a blood test done by Doctors and gives an indication of control over last 2-3 months.

 

[Amigo]

It's also the abbreviation doctor's use for haemoglobin but in this context it's probably the test grovesy describes. it gives an average level of glucose over 10-12 weeks and once it reaches 48 (6.5), a diabetes diagnosis is made. It measures differently to the daily pin prick blood tests (which are arguably a better indication of how the blood glucose is looking). This chart will help;

http://baspath.co.uk/Hba1c_table.pdf

 

[Seabreeze]

Thanks Grovesy and Amigo
My mum has just been discharged from hospital (not diabetes related) and the discharge letter said to monitor Hb and I wondered how I would do that! Ok I will speak with the surgery about their plans for this.
Cheers

 

[Amigo]

Thanks Grovesy and Amigo
My mum has just been discharged from hospital (not diabetes related) and the discharge letter said to monitor Hb and I wondered how I would do that! Ok I will speak with the surgery about their plans for this.
Cheers

Oh in that case my instincts could be right Seabreeze and it very well could be her haemoglobin. Unless of course she is diabetic or pre-diabetic and they're watching her Hba1c because it's borderline. This explains haemoglobin anyway because it's uncertain yet what they are watching. This is watched if there's anaemia.

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/hemoglobin_and_functions_of_iron/

 

[grovesy]

There is also a Hb that refers to iron levels in blood that too is a Doctor's blood test not one you can do either. They sound like instructions for the Doctor.

 

[Copepod]

If they mean monitor Hb, not HbA1c, then Hb means haemoglobin, which is the oxygen carrying molecule, which contains iron, in blood. If Hb is too low, that means anaemia.

 

[Seabreeze]

Grovesy and Copepod you've hit the nail on the head!
Mum's been having blood transfusions for anaemia.