HbA1C Test: Procedure, Results & Levels Explained
What is HbA1C?
HbA1C (or glycated haemoglobin) is haemoglobin (red blood cells) that becomes bound with glucose, or ‘glycated’, and is used to measure and monitor the blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.
What is a HbA1C test?
A HbA1C test gives diabetics a relatively good idea of how strict blood sugar control has been over the previous three months, the life-span of an average red blood cell.
Increased levels of blood sugar over a sustained period of time cause compounds related to sugar to be attached to the haemoglobin protein in red blood cells.
How is a HbA1C test performed?
HbA1C is measure via a blood test. A few millilitres of blood from a vein are required.
HbA1C test results explained
High HbA1C
A high level of HbA1C suggests poor blood-sugar control over the previous weeks.
Low HbA1C
A low level of HbA1C is a ‘pat on the back’ for a diabetic patient because it reflects strict control over the previous weeks.
Related specialists
- Diabetologist
- Endocrinologist
- General Practitioner (GP)
- General Physician
- Nephrologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Paediatrician
- Vascular Surgeon
Related procedures
- Blood Test (venesection)
Related tests
- Glucose
- Urinalysis
- Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Test)
- Angiogram
- Echocardiogram (Echo) (Ultrasound)
- Exercise Stress Test (EST)
- Dipyridamole-Thallium Scan (Dip-Thall)
- Glucose Tolerance Test
Also known as
- HbA1C
- Glycosylated haemoglobin
- 3-month test
Links
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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.
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