what is the diabetes blood test called

The primary blood test used to diagnose and monitor diabetes is called the A1C test, also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test. This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It is commonly used because it provides a long-term view of blood glucose control, unlike daily blood sugar checks that only show a snapshot of your levels at a specific moment.

Key Points:

• Normal A1C: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or above

Other tests that may be used include:

• Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar after fasting for at least 8 hours.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar before and after drinking a glucose-rich drink.
• Random Blood Sugar Test: Measures blood sugar at any time, regardless of when you last ate.

For more details, consult your healthcare provider.