A1c is a blood test that measures glycosolated hemoglobin levels in a person’s blood, giving an idea of their average blood sugar over the previous three to four months. It helps doctors determine the effectiveness of a diabetes treatment plan and can be used as a diagnostic tool. The normal range for A1c in non-diabetic people is 4-6%, and levels above 7% indicate an ineffective treatment plan. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing every four months for insulin users and every two months for non-insulin users.
A1c, also called hemoglobin A1c, is a blood test that measures the level of glycosolated hemoglobin in a person’s blood. This is a common test ordered for people with diabetes or people suspected of having diabetes. It gives the doctor an idea of a person’s average blood sugar, or blood glucose levels, over the previous three to four months. It doesn’t replace daily blood glucose monitoring, but in combination with your daily readings, the test helps your doctor determine how well a current diabetes treatment plan is working.
Glycalated hemoglobin is found in everyone’s blood in small amounts. It is a compound that is formed when glucose molecules bind to hemoglobin or red blood cells. Once this bond is formed, it doesn’t break down, but stays in the bloodstream. Hemoglobin cells live for about 120 days, so when the test is done, it will measure how much hemoglobin has stuck to glucose over the past three to four months. When there is more glucose in the blood, more A1c is formed, so high A1c levels indicate that your daily blood glucose levels were also high during this time period.
Diabetes treatment plans strive to keep a patient’s blood sugar within normal limits and to reduce the risks associated with high blood sugar, which include blindness, kidney damage, and nerve damage in the arms and legs. The daily blood glucose readings will give the patient an immediate idea of their blood glucose levels, which helps the patient make immediate adjustments in diet or medication as directed by their doctor. In addition to daily monitoring, doctors use the test to get an overview of the effectiveness of the current treatment plan. It can help a doctor decide if a patient needs insulin and how much they need. If a doctor suspects diabetes in a patient who hasn’t yet been diagnosed, the test is sometimes used as a diagnostic tool, indicating whether the patient has had an increase in blood sugar in the previous three to four months.
Scientists discovered the compound A1c in 1967, and the American Diabetes Association, or ADA, began recommending routine testing of A1c levels for diabetic patients in 1988. In a person without diabetes, the normal range of A1c in the blood is 4-6%. Levels above 7% indicate that a current treatment plan may not be working effectively. The ADA recommends testing levels every four months for diabetic patients who use insulin and every two months for diabetic patients who do not use insulin. Your doctor will use these and other tests to determine the best treatment plan for you.
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