HbA1c

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Risks

Results

HbA1c

Alternative Names:

Glycosylated hemoglobin; Hemoglobin - glycosylated; A1C; GHb; Glycohemoglobin; Diabetic control index

Normal Values:

HbA1c is normal if it is 5% or less. Normal ranges may vary slightly depending on the laboratory used.

What abnormal results mean:

The test can show that your blood glucose levels have not been well-regulated over a period of weeks to months. If the HbA1c value is above 7%, it means your diabetes is poorly controlled. High values mean you are at greater risk of diabetic complications. If you can bring your level down, you decrease your chances of long-term complications.

You should try to keep your level below 7%. Ask your doctor how often you should have your Hb A1c tested (usually every 3 or 6 months is recommended).

Review Date: 8/1/2005
Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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