what does glycosylated mean

Glycosylation refers to the process where sugar molecules (glucose) attach to proteins or lipids. In the context of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a key term. It refers to hemoglobin in red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. The A1C test measures the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in your blood, providing an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.

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

Glycosylation is a natural process, but higher levels of glycosylated hemoglobin indicate prolonged high blood sugar levels, which can be a sign of diabetes or poor diabetes management.