Since many Americans are not aware that they are diabetic, early detection of their disease could easily change their way of life. Due to the results of a recent study, researchers believe that using the HbA1c test to pinpoint individuals who are highly at risk will be able to do just that.
The study was conducted by researchers from the VU University Medical Center in the Netherlands. A total of 565 adults who had not been previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were given a series of tests, including the HbA1c. The medical charts of the participants were then tracked for a period of 20 years to witness their progression.
When medical charts were studied, it showed that many individuals saw their test results begin to rise several years before they developed diabetes.
Researchers also assessed the blood of each participant to determine their sugar levels. What they discovered was that the HbA1c levels turned out to be the best indicator that an individual was going to develop type 2 diabetes at some later date.
The belief is that the test, which is typically used to measure the average amount of sugar in the blood, can identify those who are showing symptoms of type 2 diabetes, but have not yet developed the condition. This could possibly offer an opportunity to reverse the effects before the full-blown condition has occurred.
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately one million Americans are not aware that they have type 2 diabetes.
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