A1C ‹HEMOGLOBIN A1C or HbA1C›
HbA1C is a test your doctor may order if you have diabetes. It is used to measures your blood sugar control over several months. In general, the higher your HbA1C, the higher the risk that you will develop complications of diabetes such as eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, heart disease, and stroke. This is especially true if your HbA1C remains high for a long period of time. The closer your HbA1C is to normal, the less risk you have for these complications.
The HbA1C test gives a good estimate of how well diabetes has been managed over the last 2 or 3 months. HbA1C is normal if it is 5% or less. Normal ranges may vary slightly depending on the laboratory used. Abnormal results mean that your blood glucose levels have not been well-regulated over a period of weeks to months. If your HbA1C is above 7%, it means your diabetes is poorly controlled. High values mean you are at greater risk of diabetic complications. If you can bring your HbA1C level down, you decrease your chances of long-term Diabetes complications.
You should try to keep your HbA1C level below 7%. Ask your doctor how often you should have your Hb A1C tested. Usually, doctors recommend testing every 3 to 6 months for people with well-controlled Diabetes.
