Community Answer

Answered by Dr. Emily Carter, MD

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It is calculated based on the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. Here’s how it works:

  • Test Process: A blood sample is taken, usually from your arm, and sent to a lab for analysis.

  • Measurement: The lab measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in your blood.

  • Formula: The A1C percentage is calculated using the formula:

    A1C (%) = (Average Blood Glucose (mg/dL) + 46.7) / 28.7

    For example, if your average blood glucose is 154 mg/dL, your A1C would be approximately 7%.

  • Interpretation:

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

This test is crucial for diagnosing and managing diabetes, but it should be interpreted by a healthcare professional.

Last updated: 1/12/2025

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