The diabetes A1C blood test measures the average glucose tolerance of red blood cells over several months and is used to diagnose and monitor prediabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The A1C diabetes test can be performed at a doctor’s office or at home using a special A1C monitor,
What Does the A1C Diabetes Test Measure?
The A1C test-also known as the hemoglobin A1C, glycated hemoglobin test, glycosylated hemoglobin test and HbA1c test-is used to measure blood sugar levels for about the past three months. In contrast, some simple blood sugar tests and finger sticks performed at home only measure glucose levels at the time the test was performed.
The A1C test measures by what percentage hemoglobin is coated with sugar. Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen and sugars. The sugar that sticks to hemoglobin can be measured for the life of the red blood cells. The higher your average blood glucose level, the more sugar is stuck to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells.
What Do A1C Test Results Mean?
Your A1C test results indicate your average blood sugar levels over approximately the past quarter of a year.
A1C test results can be used to diagnose prediabetes and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Normal, non-diabetic A1C results range from 5 to 6 percent. This range is about 80 to 100 mg/dL. Results between 6.0 and 6.5 percent indicate pre-diabetes. Results higher than 6.5 percent indicate diabetes.
A1C results can also be used to determine how well your diabetes is being managed. The typical goal for a diabetic is to keep A1C results below 7 percent, though this may fluctuate a bit based on a particular doctor’s diabetes treatment recommendations.
A1C Test Preparation
Sine the A1C test measures glucose tolerance over the past several months, you can eat and drink normally before the test. No fasting is required.
AIC Test Considerations
A1C test results may not be completely accurate in some instances. For example:
~~ If you don’t have enough iron in your bloodstream, the test results may come back misleadingly high.
~~ If you have a problem with chronic bleeding, your test results could come back misleading low because your hemoglobin stores may have been depleted. A1C tests one common type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin A.
~~ If you have a hemoglobin variant, your test results may come back falsely high or low. An uncommon hemoglobin type (hemoglobin variant) is sometimes found in black and people of Mediterranean or Southeast Asian descent.
A1C, a Test Used for Diabetes Diagnosis and as Part of Diabetes Treatment Plan
The A1C test is effective in testing for diabetes and to monitor diagnosed diabetes. The benefit of this diabetes test is that it shows average glucose levels over a long period of time. This information is invaluable to diabetics who need to manage their blood sugar levels in order to reduce the risk of developing eye, kidney, cardiovascular and nervous system complications from diabetes.
Sources:
A1C Test (Mayo Clinic)
