What Is an A1c Test?

The hemoglobin A1c test lets you know your normal degree of glucose over the beyond 2 to 90 days. It's likewise called HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, and glycohemoglobin. It's a ton like a baseball player's season batting normal. A solitary game doesn't let you know how a player is acting in their vocation. Also, 1 day's experimental outcomes don't provide you with the total image of how your treatment is functioning.Individuals who have diabetes need this test routinely to check whether their levels are remaining inside range. It can figure out whether you really want to change your diabetes drugs. The A1c test is likewise used to analyze diabetes.

What Does the A1C Test Measure?

When sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells. Everybody has some sugar attached to their hemoglobin, but people with higher blood sugar levels have more. The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin.

What's a Normal Hemoglobin A1c Test?

For people without diabetes, the normal range for the hemoglobin A1c level is between 4% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4% mean you have prediabetes and a higher chance of getting diabetes. Levels of 6.5% or higher mean you have diabetes.

Diagnosing Prediabetes or Diabetes

Normal Below 5.7%
Prediabetes 5.7% to 6.4%
Diabetes 6.5% or above

What Can Affect Your A1C Result?

Kidney failure, liver disease, or severe anemia.
A less common type of hemoglobin that people of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent and people with certain blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia) may have.
Certain medicines, including opioids and some HIV medications.
Blood loss or blood transfusions.
Early or late pregnancy.

Test preparation for HbA1c

Unlike fasting or post meal blood sugar tests, no special preparation is needed for an HbA1c test. You do not need to fast. You can give a test sample at any time of the day. Also, do not miss your medicines on the day of getting tested.