HEMOGLOBIN A1C TEST (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India is estimated to have more than 10 crore people with diabetes, and another 13.5 crore people pre-diabetic, according to a nationwide study published in 2023.

Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic, progressive non-communicable disease (NCD) characterized by high levels of blood sugar (blood glucose) in the body.

• It occurs when:

oThe pancreas does not produce enough of the insulin hormone that regulates blood sugar.

oThe body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

• Type 1 diabetes: It occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin. It is also called insulin-dependent diabetes.
• Type 2 Diabetes: It is most common form of diabetes, accounting for 95% of diabetes cases in adults. With Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces some insulin. But either the amount produced is not enough for the body's needs, or the body's cells are not able to use the insulin so produced.
• Implications: Diabetes disrupts the balance of insulin production or usage, leading to elevated blood sugar levels as glucose fails to enter cells effectively.

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Test

• About: The HbA1C test provides insight into your average blood sugar levels over a span of two to three months.
• Importance of Glucose: It derived from the foods we consume, serves as a vital energy source for our cells, facilitated by insulin.
• Glucose-Hemoglobin Interaction: Glucose adheres to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, proportionate to blood glucose levels, forming a basis for the A1C test.

  Non-Communicable Disease Burden in India

  • Prevalence of Hypertension and Obesity: Over 35% of Indians suffer from hypertension, while nearly 40% are affected by abdominal obesity, both contributing to the risk of diabetes.
  • India's Global Diabetes Contribution: India accounts for 17% of all diabetes patients worldwide, indicating a significant burden of the disease within the country.
  • Role of HbA1C Test: The haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is widely used for diagnosing pre-diabetes and both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as for managing the condition effectively.