Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test is the most important test for diabetic patients because it shows the average blood sugar level over the past three months — not just a single moment like fasting blood sugar.
Why HbA1c Matters for Wounds:
- Reflects reality: A patient may control sugar on test day, but HbA1c reveals the truth — is diabetes really controlled over months.
- Predicts healing: Higher HbA1c means slower healing and higher infection risk.
- Guides treatment: If high, we know diabetes management needs adjustment (insulin doses, medications).
Reference Values:
- Normal: Below 5.7%.
- Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4%.
- Diagnosed diabetes: 6.5% or above.
- Target for wound patients: Below 7% — ideal for accelerating healing.
- Above 8%: Wound healing significantly affected — medication adjustment needed.
- Above 10%: Very high infection risk — top priority to control blood sugar.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we order HbA1c for every diabetic patient, follow up every 3 months, and coordinate with the internist.