HbA1c Test: What Does It Tell You About Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or a family history of diabetes, you may have heard your doctor mention the HbA1c test. But what does HbA1c actually tell you? In simple terms, the HbA1c test shows your average blood glucose level over roughly the past 2 to 3 months. Unlike a fasting blood sugar test, you usually don't need to fast for an HbA1c test. Doctors use it to help diagnose prediabetes and diabetes and to monitor blood sugar control in people who already have diabetes. One test number does not tell the whole story, though. Your doctor looks at the HbA1c result along with your symptoms, medical history, other blood tests, medicines, and overall health. Quick Answer The HbA1c test measures the percentage of haemoglobin in your red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. Since red blood cells usually live for around three months, the result gives an idea of your average blood sugar during that period. An HbA1c result can help identify normal blood …
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