A1C Test

The A1C test is a simple blood test used to diagnose prediabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and help people with diabetes monitor how well their treatment is working.

How Does A1C Work?

Also known as an HbA1c test, an A1C test provides an overview of your average blood sugar levels for the past several months. It does this by measuring how much glucose (sugar) is attached to an oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells called hemoglobin. The higher the sugar level in the blood stream, the more glucose attaches to hemoglobin. This allows us to estimate an average blood sugar level based on the A1C results.

An A1C test can be done using a blood sample drawn from a vein or a finger prick. Blood samples drawn from a vein are sent to a lab for analysis and used to diagnose diabetes. Finger-prick testing, which can be done in your provider’s office, is used strictly to assess how well blood sugar levels are being managed in people with diabetes. Fasting is not required for either type of test.

Understanding A1C Test Results

A1C test results are reported as a percentage.

For people without diabetes, a normal A1C is below 5.7%.

An A1C level between 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes

An A1C level of 6.5% indicates diabetes, type 1 or type 2

The higher the A1C level, the greater the risk of developing diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, and nerve damage.

While A1C target levels can vary by each person's age and other factors, the goal for most adults with diabetes is less than 7%. Based on your results, your doctor can develop or adjust your treatment plan to manage your diabetes.

When to Test A1C

How often you need the A1C test depends on your type of diabetes, your treatment plan, and how well your condition is being managed.

For most people with type 2 diabetes who have their condition under control without insulin, and those with type 1 diabetes, testing is recommended at least twice a year. For those with prediabetes, your provider will likely want to re-test your A1C every 1-2 years.

However, if you’re struggling to keep your numbers in check or you’ve made changes to your treatment plan or started on a new medication, more frequent testing may be needed.