Community Answer

Answered by Dr. Emily Carter, MD 🩺

In medical terms, A1C (also known as HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin) 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.

  • How it works: Glucose in your blood attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. The A1C test measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is coated with sugar.
  • Normal range: Below 5.7%
  • Prediabetes range: 5.7% to 6.4%
  • Diabetes range: 6.5% or above

The A1C test is a key tool for managing diabetes and assessing long-term blood sugar control.

Last updated: 1/12/2025

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