A1C is a blood test for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. It measures your average blood glucose (blood sugar) over the past 3 months.
Doctors use it, alone or with other tests, to diagnose diabetes, and to see how well you are managing it. It is not the same as the daily blood sugar checks people with diabetes do.
What the results mean
Results are given as a percentage: the higher it is, the higher your blood sugar has been.
| A1C | Meaning |
|---|---|
| below 5.7% | normal |
| 5.7% to 6.4% | prediabetes — a risk factor for type 2 diabetes |
| 6.5% or higher | type 2 diabetes |
How often to test
- Prediabetes: you may need a retest every year.
- Diabetes: have the test at least twice a year.
Your goal
For many people with diabetes, the goal is an A1C below 7, but yours may be different — ask what it should be. If your result is too high, your diabetes care plan may need to change.
Sources
- "A1C," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH). https://medlineplus.gov/a1c.html
- The source puts type 2 diabetes "above 6.5%", after prediabetes ending at 6.4%; the diagnostic threshold is 6.5% or higher.
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
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Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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