Understanding A1C

How Diabetes is Diagnosed and Monitored

What is A1C?

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar for the past 2-3 months. It can identify prediabetes, it can diagnose diabetes, and it’s used to monitor how well your diabetes treatment is working over time.

Pre-diabetes is diagnose at A1C of greater than or equal to 5.7%.

Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1C of greater than or equal to 6.5%

Information from American Diabetes Association

What is an A1C score?

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar for the past 3 months and enables clinicians to diagnose prediabetes, it can diagnose diabetes, and monitor how well a patient’s diabetes treatment is working over time.

Diagnoses Based A1C Score

Normal A1C : < 5.7%

Prediabetes: 5.7% ≤ A1C Score < 6.5%

Diabetes A1C Score : > 6.5%

The A1C test can help you manage your diabetes by:

Confirming self-testing results or blood test results with the doctor.
Judging whether a treatment plan is working.
Reflecting how healthy choices can make a difference in diabetes control.

How does A1C work?

Hemoglobin is a protein found inside red blood cells that links up with glucose. Hemoglobin takes oxygen from the lungs to your body’s cells. When glucose enters your red blood cells, it links up or “glycates” with hemoglobin. The more glycated hemoglobin you have in your blood, the more glucose is present. By measuring the percentage of A1C in the blood, you can see how your body regulates blood sugar over time.

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