Healthcare providers often use the A1C test as part of regular annual health check-ups and to identify any potential health risks. How often should I get an A1C test and why? An A1C level of 6.5% (140 mg/dl or 7.8 mmol/l average) or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.Ī dangerous A1C level can vary depending on the individual, but in general, very high levels of A1C, such as those above 10%, can indicate poor blood sugar control and a higher risk of developing serious complications from diabetes, heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney disease. The A1C prediabetes range of 5.7-6.4% reflects an average blood sugar level of 117-137 mg/dl (6.5-7.6mmol/l) and means you are at an increased risk of developing diabetes. The percentage ranges for A1C levels are : High A1C levels indicate long-term, elevated blood sugar levels. Ranges for A1C levels – what is considered healthy?Īlthough it may not apply to everyone, A1C is used as a crucial diagnostic tool for diabetes. For this reason, standardizing the results can be tricky. Because of this, there can be a lot of variability in the results of the A1C test. There are over 30 different ways to calculate A1C, all of which are based on four biochemical analysis techniques. Since glucose can stay bound to hemoglobin for up to 120 days, the A1C test gives us an approximate measurement of blood sugar levels over the last 3 months. Test results are expressed as a percentage - a higher A1C equals higher average blood sugar levels. This means that the more glucose there is in the blood, the more glucose each hemoglobin will be carrying. Because of this, measuring A1C can give you a picture of your average blood sugar levels.Ī1C is calculated based on the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that had glucose attached to it in the prior 3 months. A1C is formed when the glucose in your blood binds to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. While it’s considered the gold standard for monitoring blood glucose, does A1C really give you the whole picture of your blood sugar and metabolic health? What is the A1C test?Ī1C (also called hemoglobin A1C or HbA1C) is a type of hemoglobin - a protein that carries oxygen in your blood. One popular method used to measure and track blood sugar over time is A1C. Measuring blood sugar is key to understanding your individual metabolic health - but there are many ways to measure blood sugar, all of which vary in method and accuracy. While it’s a good marker of blood sugar trends and can be used to help diagnose diabetes, measuring A1C doesn’t provide a picture of daily fluctuations. The A1C test is a simple blood test that indicates a person’s average blood sugar levels over a three-month period.
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