The hemoglobin A1c test reveals your average blood sugar level over the previous two to three months. Glycated hemoglobin test, HbA1c, and glycohemoglobin are further names for it. It resembles the season batting average of a baseball player. You cannot determine a player’s career performance from one game. Additionally, one day’s worth of test results cannot fully represent how well your therapy is functioning.
To check whether their blood sugar levels are maintaining within normal range, diabetics need this test on a regular basis. It might indicate if you need to modify your diabetic medication. Diabetes may also be identified with the A1c test.
How Does Hemoglobin Work?
Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin. It is responsible for giving blood its red color and for transporting oxygen throughout your body.
How the HBA1C Test Functions
Your blood sugar is known as glucose. Hemoglobin in your red blood cells binds to glucose when it accumulates in your blood. The A1c test calculates the amount of bound glucose.
The test displays the average blood glucose level over the last three months since red blood cells have an average lifespan of roughly three months.
Your hemoglobin A1c test will be greater if your glucose levels have been elevated throughout the last several weeks.
What Does a Typical HBA1c Test Show?
Hemoglobin A1c levels for adults without diabetes should fall between 4% and 5.6%. You have prediabetes and an increased risk of developing diabetes if your hemoglobin A1c is 5.7% to 6.4%. Diabetes is diagnosed when levels reach 6.5% or above.
Setting A1c Level Objectives
For diabetics, a goal A1c level is typically less than 7%. The chance of developing diabetes-related problems increases with increasing hemoglobin A1c levels. A level exceeding 8% may be seen in someone with long-term untreated diabetes.
If you have diabetes and your blood sugar level is higher than it should be, your doctor may adjust your therapy to lower it.