what is haemoglobin a1c test for

The Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test is a blood test used to measure your average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It is primarily used for:

• Diagnosing Prediabetes and Diabetes:
  • Normal: Below 5.7%
  • Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
  • Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
• Monitoring Diabetes Management: It helps assess how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
• Estimating Average Blood Sugar: The test provides an estimated average glucose (eAG) level, which correlates with your A1C percentage.

This test is different from daily blood sugar checks, as it gives a long-term view of blood sugar control rather than a single snapshot.