Someone without diabetes will have about 5 percent of their hemoglobin glycated. A normal A1C level is
5.6 percent or below, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. A level of 5.7 to 6.4 percent indicates prediabetes. People with diabetes have an A1C level of 6.5 percent or above. The American Diabetes Association provides a
calculator that shows how A1C levels correlate to glucose levels. To monitor overall glucose control, people with diabetes should have an A1C test at least twice a year. More frequent measurements (e.g., every 3 months) should be taken if you have type 1 diabetes, if your treatment is being adjusted, if you and your doctor are setting certain blood sugar targets, or if you are pregnant.
What factors can affect my test results?
Anyone who’s had diabetes for any length of time knows that A1C tests haven’t been reliable until recently. In the past, many different types of A1C tests gave different results depending on the lab that analyzed them. However, the
National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program has helped improve the accuracy of these tests. Manufacturers of A1C tests now have to prove that their tests are consistent with those used in a major diabetes study. Accurate home test kits are also now available for purchase. Accuracy is relative when it comes to A1C or even
blood glucose tests, though. The A1C test result can be up to half a percent higher or lower than the actual percentage. That means if your A1C is 6, it might indicate a range from 5.5 to 6.5. Some people may have a blood glucose test that indicates diabetes but their A1C is normal, or vice versa. Before confirming a diagnosis of diabetes, your doctor should repeat the test that was abnormal on a different day. This is not necessary in the presence of unequivocal symptoms of diabetes (increased thirst, urination, and weight loss) and a random sugar over 200. Some people may get false results if they have
kidney failure,
liver disease, or severe
anemia. Ethnicity can also influence the test. People of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent may have a
less common type of hemoglobin that can interfere with some A1C tests. A1C can also be affected if red cell survival is decreased.
What if your A1C number is high?
High A1C levels are indicative of uncontrolled diabetes, which has been
linked to an increased risk of the following conditions:
If you’re in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, small changes in lifestyle can make a big difference and even put your diabetes in remission.
Losing a few pounds or
starting an exercise program can help. Type 1 diabetes needs insulin as soon as diagnosed. For those who have had prediabetes or diabetes for a long time, higher A1C results may be a sign that you need to start on
medication or change what you’re already taking. Prediabetes can progress to diabetes at a rate of 5–10 percent per year. You may also need to make other lifestyle changes and monitor your daily blood glucose more closely. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
The takeaway
The A1C test measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached to it. The test provides an average of your blood sugar readings for the past three months. It’s used to monitor blood sugar levels, as well as for diagnosis and screening of prediabetes and diabetes. People with diabetes should have an A1C test at least twice a year and more frequently in some cases.
Read this article in Spanish.