A hemoglobin A1C HbA1C test is a blood test that shows what your average blood sugar glucose level was over the past two to three months. Glucose is a type of sugar in your blood that comes from the foods you eat. Your cells use glucose for energy.
A hormone called insulin helps glucose get into your cells. If you have diabetes your body doesn't make enough insulin, or your cells don't use it well. As a result, glucose can't get into your cells, so your blood sugar levels increase. Glucose in your blood sticks to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells.
As your blood glucose levels increase, more of your hemoglobin will be coated with glucose. An A1C test measures the percentage Diverse frågor your red blood cells that have glucose-coated hemoglobin. High A1C levels are a sign of high blood glucose from diabetes.
Diabetes can cause serious health problemsincluding heart diseasekidney diseaseand nerve damage. But with treatment and lifestyle changes, you can control your blood glucose levels. An A1C test may be used to screen fo r or diagnose:. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, an A1C test can help monitor your condition and check how well you've been able to control your blood sugar levels.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
This usually takes less than five minutes. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. A1C results tell you what percentage of your hemoglobin is coated with glucose.
The percent ranges are just a guide to what is normal. What's normal for you depends on your health, age, and other factors. Ask your provider what A1C percentage is healthy for you. Providers often use more than one test to diagnose diabetes.