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Hemoglobin A1c, commonly known as HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin, is a laboratory test that measures the average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. This test works by detecting the amount of glucose that has attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Since red blood cells live for approximately three months, the HbA1c test provides a long-term picture of blood glucose control, making it more informative than daily blood sugar measurements that only show glucose levels at a single point in time.

The HbA1c test is primarily used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes, and to monitor how well diabetes is being managed in people already diagnosed with the condition. For diagnosis, an HbA1c level below 5.7 percent is considered normal, a level between 5.7 and 6.4 percent indicates prediabetes, and a level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests confirms diabetes. For people with diabetes, the general treatment goal is to keep HbA1c below 7 percent, though individual targets may vary based on age, overall health, and other factors.

The test requires a simple blood sample, which can be drawn at any time of day without fasting. This convenience makes HbA1c testing more practical than other glucose tests that require fasting or multiple measurements throughout the day. Healthcare providers typically recommend HbA1c testing at least twice a year for people with well-controlled diabetes, and more frequently for those whose treatment has changed or who are not meeting their blood sugar goals.

Understanding your HbA1c results is important for managing diabetes effectively. Each one percent reduction in HbA1c can significantly decrease the risk of diabetes-related complications, including eye disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. However, certain conditions can affect the accuracy of HbA1c results, including anemia, recent blood loss, blood transfusions, certain hemoglobin variants, and kidney or liver disease. People with these conditions should discuss alternative testing methods with their healthcare provider to ensure accurate monitoring of their blood glucose control.