Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c, A1c)
What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- Having severe blood loss or a blood transfusion in the last 3 months.
- Having certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia, some types of thalassemia, and severe kidney disease.
- Having your spleen taken out. This changes the normal life cycle of red blood cells and A1c levels.
What To Think About
- If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you have a glycohemoglobin test every 3 to 6 months, depending on your type of diabetes and how well it is controlled.
- The glycohemoglobin test does not replace the need for other regular blood glucose tests, including checking your blood sugar at home and a regular blood glucose test. For more information, see the topics Home Blood Glucose Test and Blood Glucose.
- Many people with diabetes have high blood sugars at times when they would not be checking their blood sugar, such as after meals or during the night. Glycohemoglobin A1c may show these periods of high blood sugar that would not be found by a home blood glucose test.
- Some people who develop diabetes have normal glycohemoglobin tests early in the course of their disease.
- Glycohemoglobin levels can be normal in some people who have untreated diabetes and certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia, severe kidney disease, or pregnancy.
- If you have diabetes, having a high glycohemoglobin level increases your chances of having other problems. Lowering your glycohemoglobin levels can help delay or prevent problems, such as serious nerve, kidney, and eye damage.
- Glycohemoglobin levels are not useful for finding low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Citations
American Diabetes Association (2011). Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 34(Suppl 1): S62-S69.
American Diabetes Association (2009). Medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes: A consensus algorithm for the initiation and adjustment of therapy. Diabetes Care, 32: 193-203.
Nathan DM, et al. (2008). Translating the A1c assay into estimated average glucose values. Diabetes Care, 31(8): 1473-1478.
American Diabetes Association (2011). Standards of medical care in diabetes - 2011. Diabetes Care, 34(Suppl 1): S11-S61.
Other Works Consulted
American Diabetes Association (2011). Standards of medical care in diabetes - 2011. Diabetes Care, 34(Suppl 1): S11-S61.
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby?s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
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