what hba1c

HbA1c, or Hemoglobin A1c, is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes. Here’s how it works:

• What it measures: HbA1c reflects the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more glucose attaches to hemoglobin.
• Normal range:
  • Normal: Below 5.7%
  • Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
  • Diabetes: 6.5% or above
• Why it’s important: It provides a long-term view of blood sugar control, unlike daily glucose tests, which only show a snapshot.

For people with diabetes, the goal is typically to keep HbA1c levels below 7%, though this may vary based on individual health conditions.