Hemoglobin
A1c Quiz
Check
Your Hemoglobin A1c I.Q.
Find out how
much you know about the hemoglobin A1c test (also called
H-b-A-one-c). Mark
each statement true or false.
Then see how you did by checking the correct answers
and explanations on the back of this sheet.
1.
A hemoglobin A1c test measures the average amount of
sugar in
your
blood over the last 3 months.
T
F
2.
It’s important to know your hemoglobin A1c number.
T
F
3.
All people with diabetes need to have a hemoglobin A1c
test.
T
F
4.
The hemoglobin A1c goal for people with diabetes is
less than
7
percent.
T
F
5.
Most people can tell what their blood sugar levels are
simply
by
how they feel.
T
F
6.
You can have a “touch of sugar” but don’t have to
do anything
about
it.
T
F
7.
You can do something about high blood sugar. T
F
8.
A hemoglobin A1c number over 8 percent is a sign that
one or
more parts of your treatment plan
needs to be changed.
T
F
9.
A hemoglobin A1c test should be done about once a year.
T
F
10.
There’s no proof that lowering your hemoglobin A1c
number can reduce your chances of getting serious eye, kidney,
and nerve disease. T
F
Answers
to the Hemoglobin A1c I.Q. Quiz
1.
True.
The hemoglobin A1c
test shows the average amount of sugar in your blood over the
last 3 months. It
is a simple lab test done by your health care provider.
The hemoglobin A1c is the best
test to find out if your blood sugar is under control.
2.
True.
If you know your
hemoglobin A1c number, you will know if your blood sugar is
under control. A
high number is a sign that you should work with your health
care provider to change your treatment plan.
A good test result is a sign that your treatment plan
is working and your blood sugar is under control.
3.
True.
All people with
diabetes should have a hemoglobin A1c test at least twice a
year. Regular
hemoglobin A1c testing can help you track your blood sugar
levels over time to see if they stay close to normal or go up
and down. If your
blood sugar levels are too high or too low, work with your
health care provider to change your treatment plan and reach
your target level of control.
4.
True.
The hemoglobin A1c goal for people with diabetes is
less than 7 percent. The
findings of a major diabetes study, the Diabetes Control and
Complications Trial (DCCT), showed that people with diabetes
who keep their hemoglobin A1c levels close to 7 percent have a
much better chance of delaying or preventing diabetes problems
that affect the eyes, kidneys, and nerves than people with
hemoglobin A1c levels 8 percent or higher.
A change in treatment is almost always needed if your
hemoglobin A1c is over 8 percent.
But, if you can lower your hemoglobin A1c number by any
amount, you will improve your chances of staying healthy.
5.
False.
Research shows that few people can tell their blood
sugar levels simply by how they feel.
Testing your blood sugar is the only way to know for
sure whether you are reaching your blood sugar goals.
6.
False.
If
you have “sugar,” you have diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious disease that causes the sugar in
your blood to build up in your body.
This buildup of sugar can cause you to go blind, suffer
a heart attack, lose your feet or legs to amputations, stop
your kidneys from working, and even kill you.
There is no cure for diabetes, but there is a lot you
can do to control it. For
example, you can see your health care provider more often.
You can change some of the foods you eat.
You can stay at a weight that is right for you.
And you can get regular physical activity.
7.
True.
You can do a lot to bring
down high blood sugar and get it under control.
Start by asking your health care provider for a
hemoglobin A1c test. If
your hemoglobin A1c test result is too high, talk to your
health care provider about how to lower it.
To get your blood sugar under control, follow the meal
plan recommended by your health care provider, stick to a
physical activity program, take prescribed diabetes medicines,
and consult your health care provider often.
8.
True.
A
change in treatment is almost always needed if your hemoglobin
A1c is over 8 percent. Common
causes of high blood sugar include eating too much food or
eating the wrong foods, lack of physical activity, stress, a
need to change medicines, and infection or illness.
If your hemoglobin A1c number is too high, work with
your health care provider to change your treatment plan and
reach the goal of less than 7 percent.
9.
False.
You should get a
hemoglobin A1c test at least two times a year if your blood
sugar is in the target range and stable.
If your treatment changes or if your blood sugar stays
too high, you should get a hemoglobin A1c test at least every
3 months until your blood sugar level improves.
10.
False.
The DCCT showed that
the lower the hemoglobin A1c number, the greater the chances
that people with diabetes will slow or prevent the development
of serious eye, kidney, and nerve disease.
The study also showed that if you can lower your
hemoglobin A1c number by any
amount, you will improve your chances of staying healthy.
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