what does a1c stand for in medical terms

In medical terms, A1C stands for Hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c. It is a blood test that measures the average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the past 2 to 3 months. The test works by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells) that is coated with sugar (glycated). This test is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes.

• Normal A1C: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or above

The A1C test is a key tool in managing diabetes and assessing the risk of complications.