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. Adults over the age of 45 should take an A1C test to get a baseline reading. High A1C levels are indicative of uncontrolled diabetes, which has been linked to an increased risk of the following conditions:.
Starting an exercise program can help. Prediabetes can progress to diabetes. You may also need to make other lifestyle changes and monitor your daily blood glucose more closely. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. 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 3 months. People with diabetes should take an A1C test at least twice a year and more frequently in some cases.
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Learn how different treatments can help relieve symptoms. Diabetic blisters are rare, but there are steps you can take to treat and prevent them. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are complex and range from genetic to environmental to lifestyle choices. Learn more. Managing diabetes : If you have diabetes, get an A1C test at least twice a year, more often if your medicine changes or if you have other health conditions.
Talk to your doctor about how often is right for you. However, ask your doctor if other tests will be done at the same time and if you need to prepare for them. A normal A1C level is below 5. Within the 5. Get your A1C tested in addition to—not instead of—regular blood sugar self-testing if you have diabetes.
Let your doctor know if any of these factors apply to you, and ask if you need additional tests to find out.
However, your personal goal will depend on many things such as your age and any other medical conditions. Work with your doctor to set your own individual A1C goal.
People who are older, have severe lows, or have other serious health problems may have a higher goal. Two people can have the same A1C, one with steady blood sugar levels and the other with high and low swings. Keep track and share the results with your doctor so you can make changes to your treatment plan if needed. As higher A1C levels are often associated with diabetes complications, it is important to reach and maintain target A1C results. Although it is an important tool for managing diabetes, testing A1C levels does not replace other strategies, such as regular blood sugar testing at home.
A person can work toward lowering and maintaining their A1C level by following their treatment plan, getting regular physical exercise, and taking steps to lose weight, if the doctor has advised doing so. In this article, we discuss healthy and concerning A1C levels, the possible complications of high levels, and strategies to reduce A1C levels.
A1C test results represent how well the body is maintaining blood glucose levels by showing the average percentage of sugar-bound hemoglobin in a blood sample. A higher A1C level suggests a higher risk of diabetes and its complications. When discussing A1C levels, a doctor may also refer to estimated average glucose, or eAG. However, A1C level recommendations can vary among individuals due to a number of factors. What may be high for one person might be within range for another person.
For example, people with more advanced diabetes will have higher A1C targets than those without diabetes. Various underlying conditions, including blood disorders, can also have an effect, as can potentially modifiable factors , such as stress, medications, and lifestyle changes. A person with an A1C level indicating prediabetes may wish to consider making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a well-balanced diet and staying active, to help manage or even reverse the condition before it progresses to type 2 diabetes.
If a person has a higher A1C level, suggesting diabetes, it is advisable for them to contact a doctor. However, personal targets can vary, and a diabetes care team may consider other factors to help a person set their own individual goals.
If a person with diabetes has an A1C test result that is much higher than their set target, a doctor can help advise lifestyle and medication changes to lower their A1C level. In particular, it measures the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood with an attached molecule of glucose. When glucose attaches to hemoglobin, experts refer to the resulting compound as glycosylated hemoglobin. Type A1 hemoglobin has subtypes, including A1C.
As this is the most abundant subtype, it is a good marker for glucose control. The test uses a 3-month average because RBCs typically live for about 3 months. Therefore, this timeframe reflects the sugar exposure to the cells over that time. The test does not require any specific preparations, so a person does not need to fast prior to the test, and a doctor can perform it at any time of the day. The A1C test estimates the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. The test is able to measure this by identifying the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood.
If there is more glucose present in the blood, more glucose is available to attach to hemoglobin.
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