What Is the A1C Test?
Written by: Beyond Type 1 Editorial Team
3 minute read
November 20, 2015
The A1C test is a blood test that helps you and your doctor see how well your diabetes plan is working. People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes take this test. It shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months.
You might hear it called hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin. Most people just call it A1C.
How the test works
When sugar enters your blood, it sticks to a protein in your red blood cells. This creates something called “glycated hemoglobin.” The more sugar in your blood, the higher your A1C number.
Checking your blood sugar daily is important. But the A1C gives you the big picture.
What do these numbers mean?
Your A1C is a three-month average. Higher numbers mean more sugar in your blood, which may raise your risk of problems from diabetes.
A1C number
| 4.6 – 6.0 | Normal (does not have diabetes) |
| 5.7 – 6.4 | Pre-diabetes (warning that someone may develop type 2 or have the beginning onset of type 1) |
| 6.7+ | Diabetes (someone diagnosed with diabetes) |
| <7.0 – 7.5 | Target range (for adults diagnosed with diabetes—children diagnosed with diabetes) |
Everyone’s target range is different. Kids often have a higher goal. Talk to your doctor to find your best A1C range.
What can affect the results?
A few things can make your A1C test less accurate:
- You’ve lost a lot of blood
- You had a blood transfusion
- You’re low in iron
- You have a different type of hemoglobin (common in Black, Mediterranean and Southeast Asian people)
Also, switching to a new lab can slightly change your results.
Translating your A1c to an average blood sugar level
| A1C level
|
Estimated average blood sugar level
|
|
| 5 percent | 5.4 mmol/L97 mg/dL | |
| 6 percent | 7.0 mmol/L126 mg/dL | |
| 7 percent | 8.6 mmol/L154 mg/dL | |
| 8 percent | 10.2 mmol/L183 mg/dL | |
| 9 percent | 11.8 mmol/L212 mg/dL | |
| 10 percent | 13.3 mmol/L240 mg/dL | |
| 11 percent | 14.9 mmol/L269 mg/dL | |
| 12 percent | 16.6 mmol/L298 mg/dL | |
| 13 percent | 18.1 mmol/L326 mg/dL | |
| 14 percent | 19.7 mmol/L355 mg/dL |
Is there a perfect A1C?
Some people call it “perfect” when you’re in your target range, but there’s no one-size-fits-all number. A1C is just a tool to help guide your care.
Your number might go up or down over time—and that’s okay. What matters is working with your care team to stay as healthy as possible.
For more Tools + How Tos
Author
Beyond Type 1 Editorial Team
Beyond Type 1 is the largest diabetes org online, funding advocacy, education and cure research. Find industry news, inspirational stories and practical help. Join the 1M+ strong community and discover what it means to #LiveBeyond a diabetes diagnosis.
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