![]() Approximately 96 million American adults-more than 1 in 3-have prediabetes. Levels should remain close to normal in a healthy pregnancy.Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. ![]() HbA1c may slightly vary depending on the season (higher in warm months), a person’s ethnicity, gender, concurrent diagnoses, and genetic makeup. However, your doctor will make a diagnosis taking into account your medical history, symptoms, and other test results. Slightly higher levels point to prediabetes, while high levels (above 6.5% or 48 mmol/mol) indicate diabetes. Healthy people should keep their levels in the normal range, which is 4-5.6 % (20 – 38 mmol/mol). Because blood sugar and insulin fluctuations are directly associated with most chronic disease, HbA1C is one of the most useful tests for preventative health as well. Doctors usually order the HbA1c test to check for or monitor prediabetes or diabetes. HbA1c is a measure of your average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months. Testing HbA1c five or more times per year is redundant because HbA1c is a measure of average blood sugar over three months. Your doctor may suggest quarterly monitoring (every 3 months) if you have newly diagnosed or pregnancy-associated diabetes, rapidly changing HbA1c levels, changes in treatment or insulin dose, or if you have a history of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Having had diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes)ĭiabetic patients with stable blood glucose levels should test HbA1c approximately twice a year.Having signs of insulin resistance or conditions associated with insulin resistance, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), low good cholesterol and/or high triglycerides (dyslipidemia), and polycystic ovary syndrome.Belonging to a certain race/ethnic group (Native Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asians/South Pacific Islanders).Having a close (first or second degree) relative with diabetes.Being overweight, obese, or physically inactive.How Often Should You Test HbA1c?Īccording to the American Diabetes Association, screening for diabetes is recommended in people over 45 (every 3 years), or at any age if you have certain risk factors, including : The HbA1c test requires a blood sample, either drawn from your arm or taken with a finger prick. If your red blood cells live longer than 90 days or they are smaller (as measured by MCV in a blood test), then your HbA1C will be artificially higher. It is possible to have high blood glucose but low HbA1c due to the presence of hemoglobin variants, inflammation, or other factors that increase red blood cell turn over. However, HbA1c does not always correlate with blood glucose levels. Normal adult hemoglobin consists predominantly of HbA1, of which HbA1c comprises approximately 5%. Of this 2 – 3 month period, the immediately preceding 30 days contribute 50% to HbA1c. Therefore, the HbA1c is an index of average blood sugar levels over the preceding 2 to 3 months. The lifespan of a red blood cell varies from person to person but averages out to approximately 117 days in men and 106 days in women. The higher the blood glucose level gets the more HbA1c forms throughout the lifespan of a red blood cell. Red blood cells (RBCs) are exposed to glucose in the blood. HbA1c is sugar bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. A plus sign next to the number “” means that the information is found within the full scientific study rather than the abstract. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please leave a comment or contact us at that each number in parentheses is a clickable link to peer-reviewed scientific studies. Our goal is to not have a single piece of inaccurate information on this website. They are continually monitored by our internal peer-review process and if we see anyone making material science errors, we don't let them write for us again. Our science team must pass long technical science tests, difficult logical reasoning and reading comprehension tests. Our science team is put through the strictest vetting process in the health industry and we often reject applicants who have written articles for many of the largest health websites that are deemed trustworthy. Our team comprises of trained MDs, PhDs, pharmacists, qualified scientists, and certified health and wellness specialists.Īll of our content is written by scientists and people with a strong science background. We are dedicated to providing the most scientifically valid, unbiased, and comprehensive information on any given topic. We believe that the most accurate information is found directly in the scientific source. SelfDecode has the strictest sourcing guidelines in the health industry and we almost exclusively link to medically peer-reviewed studies, usually on PubMed.
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