What your HbA1c means when it comes to autoimmune disease

One of the most captivating discussions from The British Network of Functional Medicine was a presentation by Pete Williams and, in particular, his analogy of a crème br?lée to explain HbA1C, a marker for blood sugar levels.

I am guilty of using scientific jargon, but when it comes to feeling empowered about your health, understanding concepts to help you make informed, healthy choices is far more important than hearing lots of scientific explanations about biological reactions.?

And that's why I would like to share this analogy with you today and explain why it matters for autoimmune disease.?

As you know, maintaining optimal health is a delicate balance, especially when you have autoimmune diseases.

However, one key component in managing these conditions is monitoring HbA1c levels, often referred to as glycated haemoglobin. HbA1c is routinely tested for at your doctor's, and it is worth keeping an eye on your levels to understand where your health is at.

Drawing on Pete's sweet analogy, the burnt sugar atop a crème br?lée illustrates the importance of HbA1c in the context of autoimmune diseases.

Imagine your body as a complex recipe with various ingredients working together. In this analogy, glucose in the bloodstream is akin to sugar in the recipe.

Just as the caramelized sugar on top of a crème br?lée reflects the burning (or oxidation) of the sugar, HbA1c represents the amalgamation of glucose and haemoglobin over time, in a process known as glycation.

The burnt sugar represents the advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and is a sign of ageing, which can lead to inflammation and inflammageing. You can read more about that here.?

And why does that matter?

AGEs can induce inflammation by interacting with specific receptors called RAGE (Receptor for AGEs). This interaction triggers an inflammatory response, and chronic inflammation is a known factor in autoimmune diseases. The immune system may become overactive, leading to an attack on the body's own tissues.

AGEs can modify proteins within the body through glycation. These modified proteins might be recognised by the immune system as foreign or abnormal, potentially triggering an immune response. This molecular mimicry can lead to the immune system attacking the body's own tissues, contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases.

AGEs can also contribute to oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress is implicated in various diseases, including autoimmune conditions. The damage caused by oxidative stress can activate immune responses, potentially leading to the development or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases.

In medical use, HbA1c provides a three-month average of blood glucose levels, offering a more comprehensive view than daily blood sugar tests.

If you have an autoimmune disease, such as alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, this metric becomes crucial.

HbA1c serves as a valuable tool, offering insights into the intricate dance between glucose and haemoglobin.?

If your HbA1c is in range, but you suspect that your blood sugar is imbalanced, then you can use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to check your levels after eating and doing certain activities.

You can learn more about the Veri CGM here. I got this as a present for my Dad last year, and the information you gain from it is invaluable.

If you would like to learn more about the early signs of blood sugar dysregulation, you can listen to this episode of The Autoimmune RESET discussing the topic?here.?

If you think imbalanced or high blood sugar might be contributing to your symptoms, then why not join the 10-day Sugar RESET Challenge starting tomorrow???

The festive season can be a difficult time of year when it comes to sugary foods, but once you have the strategies and tools in place to support healthy blood sugar levels, then you will be less affected by the rollercoaster highs and lows of imbalanced blood sugar.?

You can learn more about the Sugar RESET Challenge?here.?

From the New Year, The Sugar RESET will be run as a 21-day programme, so if you would like to do the challenge in its current format (and price), then please sign up for the challenge by 20 December 2023.

Do you like Pete's crème br?lée analogy? I look forward to hearing what you think.