what is glycohemoglobin hba1c

Glycohemoglobin, also known as HbA1c or A1C, is a form of hemoglobin that is chemically linked to glucose. It is used as a key indicator in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and prediabetes. Here’s what you need to know:

• What it measures: The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have glucose-coated hemoglobin, reflecting your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
• Normal range: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes range: 5.7% to 6.4%
• Diabetes range: 6.5% or above

This test is particularly useful because it provides a long-term view of blood sugar control, unlike daily glucose tests, which only show a snapshot of your blood sugar at a single point in time.

For more details, you can refer to the CDC's A1C Test page.