what does hemoglobin a1c mean

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) 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:

• How it works: When sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells. The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin.
• Normal Range:
  • Normal: Below 5.7%
  • Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
  • Diabetes: 6.5% or above
• Why it’s important: The A1C test provides a long-term view of blood sugar control, unlike daily blood sugar checks, which only show a snapshot of your levels at a single point in time.

For more details, you can refer to the CDC's guide on A1C testing.