A1C levels refer to the amount of hemoglobin in your blood that has glucose attached to itwhich can be useful for monitoring blood sugar levels over time.
Managing your blood sugars is a key part of your overall diabetes care plan. While using a fingerstick meter or a continuous monitor can be part of your daily routinethey only provide a snapshot of your blood sugar at that moment in time.
The hemoglobin A1C testhoweveroffers a more complete picture of your diabetes management over the past few months.
They may better reflect how your glucose levels fluctuatewhether it’s a 3 a.m. low or a dramatic spike after lunchand what that means overall for how you can change your care plan with your healthcare team’s help.
An A1C test measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached to it. Hemoglobin is a protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Hemoglobin cells are constantly dying and regenerating.
Their lifespan is roughly 3 monthsmeaning the A1C test offers an average of your blood sugars over that period.
That result isn’t meant to mirror your average glucose readings on any given daybut it provides your doctor a picture of how effective your blood sugar management has been.
History of the A1C in diabetes care
A1C tests became available in the 1980s and quickly became an important tool in monitoring diabetes control.
A1C tests measure average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months. So even if you have a high fasting blood sugaryour overall blood sugar may be normalor vice versa. A normal fasting blood sugar may not eliminate the possibility of type 2 diabetes.
This is why A1C tests are often used to diagnose and screen for prediabetes and diabetes. Because they don’t require fastingthe test can be given at any time as part of an overall blood screening.
The American Diabetes Association provides a calculator that shows how A1C levels correlate to glucose levels.
Importantlyglucose levels do not always match an A1C. Neither are precise but are meant to be data points to use along with other information in your overall diabetes care plan.
Your healthcare team can best guide you on what A1C levels meanhow that relates to blood sugarsand what you may need to consider for your diabetes plan.
Your result could be up to half a percent higher or lower than the actual percentage. That means if your A1C is 6%it might indicate a range from 5.5% to 6.5%.
Before confirming a diagnosis of diabetesyour doctor may repeat the test on a different day.
What can affect A1C results?
Read more about different factorsincluding medications and health conditionsthat may affect your A1C levels. This can include people with diabeteswho may experience blood sugar swings that may impact the broader averages.
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For those managing any type of diabetes or facing risk for the conditionyou can address blood sugar and A1C levels by working with your healthcare team on several fronts: eating habitsphysical activityweight managementmental healthand other healthcare.
You can work with your doctor and healthcare team to develop a diabetes care planwhether you’re diagnosed with prediabetestype 1 or 2 diabetesor gestational diabetes. They may also want to discuss specific treatments if you face higher risk for developing these conditions.
The A1C test measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood with glucose attached. The test provides an average of your blood sugar readings for the past 3 months.
It monitors blood sugar levels and diagnoses and screens for prediabetes and diabetes. People with diabetes should take an A1C test at least twice a year and more frequently in some cases.
