Intro to HbA1c

Image courtesy of prediabetescenters.com

Over the next couple of months I would like to walk through rough overviews of my final project for one of my graduate classes this term.  The project is to come up with a hypothesis that has not already been tested and use current research to explain the biological mechanism by which the null of my hypothesis would fail to be rejected.


As a rough draft right now, my hypothesis that I am researching is sub-maximal isometric exercises lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) scores in type-1 diabetics.  I still have to figure out a baseline duration and frequency for the exercises, but for right now that's where I'm at.

Today what I would like to discuss is what hemoglobin (Hb) is, what HBA1c is, and some of the various complications that can arise if the latter is not regulated in diabetics.  Over the next several weeks I will progress through discussing the remaining aspects of my project.

**While I would like this info to be as accurate as possible, understand that I am still working through this myself and as such am only presenting a rough draft version of some of the information I have right now.  After the project is completed I will put updates to any of these posts in future posts.  Actually, I might just post the entire project with all of the references.  We'll see.**

What is Hb?

Basically, Hb is a protein molecule found mainly in red blood cells that transports gasses, including oxygen.

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is the part of the hemoglobin molecule that is made up of majorly glycohemoglobin (1).  Glucose is able to pass through the membrane of the red blood cell and bind to Hb, which happens at an increasing rate as blood glucose levels elevate (1).  By measuring an individual's HbA1c levels, an average blood glucose level for the life of that red blood cell can be measured, which in men is an average of 117 days and in women is an average of 106 days (1).

Complications

Various studies have shown that elevated levels of HbA1c in type-1 diabetics leads to an increased risk in various complication such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and neuropathy symptoms (2, 3).  Additionally, various studies have shown exercise as a means by which to lower HbA1c scores (4, 5).

In future posts I'll be discussing the various ways by which exercise can lower HbA1c scores as well as discussing the role of isometric exercises in this process.

Your body.  Your training.

Like this post?  Drop a comment below and “Like” Self Made® on Facebook!

Want to use this article in your blog, newsletter, or other platform? You may, but be sure to include all of the biographical info found in the box below!

 

References:

1. Gallagher E, Roith D.  Review of hemoglobin A1c in the management of diabetes.  Journal of Diabetes. 1: 9-17, 2009.
2. Reichard P, Pihl M, Rosenqvist U, Sule J.  Complications in IDDM are caused by elevated blood glucose level:  The Stockholm Diabetes Intervention Study (SDIS) at 10-year follow up. Diabetologia. 39: 1483-1488, 1996.
3. Rohlfing C, Wiedmeyer H, Little R, England J, Tennill A, Goldstein D.  Defining the Relationship Between Plasma Glucose and HbA1c.  Diabetes Care.  25:  275-278, 2002.
4. Riddell M, Perkins B.  Type 1 Diabetes and Vigorous Exercise:  Applications of Exercise Physiology to Patient Management.  Canadian Journal of Diabetes.  30:  63-71, 2006.
5. MANDERS R, VAN DIJK J, VAN LOON L.  Low-intensity Exercise Reduces the Prevalence of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes.  American College of Sports Medicine. 219-225, 2010.