The HbA1c test is a blood test which measures glucose levels in the blood over a 3 month period. In the blood, glucose attaches to hemoglobin molecules which are a part of the red blood cells. When glucose attaches to the hemoglobin, it forms what is called a glycosylated hemoglobin molecule also called hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c. Since red blood cells have a life span of 8-12 weeks, the test provides a gauge for glucose control of up to 3 months.
The HbA1c test can be used to both diagnose diabetes and track diabetes glucose control over the long term For a non-diabetic, a normal HbA1c is 3.5-5.5% . Pre-diabetes is an HbA1c result of 5.7-6.4% and diabetes is diagnosed if the HbA1c result is 6.5% or higher. Diabetics effectively managing their glucose levels should have an HbA1c of lower than 6.5% . A diabetic should complete an HbA1c test at least every 6 months and more often if glucose levels have not been under control. If the HbA1c level is 7% or higher, then glucose control interventions should be implemented and another test taken in three months to measure the effectiveness of the interventions.
