What is a Glycated Hemoglobin test?

This is a test that is done in a lab to determine your overall blood glucose level control. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. Its job is to shoulder oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body. When you have uncontrolled diabetes the extra glucose for your bloodstream enters the red blood cells and links higher (or glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin.

Each molecule stays glycated until that red blood cell dies and is replaced with a new red blood cell. The amount of glycated hemoglobin for your blood shows the average blood glucose control for the past three to four months, which is the lifespan of a red blood cell.

In a person who doesn’t have diabetes, about 5 % of all hemoglobin is glycated. For someone with diabetes the levels can range from 5 % to as high as 25% if their diabetes is badly out of control for a long time. If you utalise insulin you should have this try out done four times a year.

Follow your health care team’s advice about when to test and how to test. It will help you will feel significantly better.

Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes

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What exactly is the hemoglobin (HbA1c or “A1c”) test and what does it mean for my diabetes care?”

The A1c test gives you and your health care provider a picture of what your average blood sugar level has been over the past two to three months. The blood sugar test you do at home measures your blood sugar at that exact time.

NOTE: Most people with diabetes should aim for an A1c test of 7% or less (check with your doctor). If your A1c is 7% or more, you increase the risk of developing diabetes complications like eye, kidney, heart and nerve problems.

If your A1c result is (%):

6 = 120
7 = 150