Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c, A1c)
GHb (Glycohemoglobin) Test, HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c), Hemoglobin A1c
What To Think About
- If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you have a glycohemoglobin test every 3 to 6 months, depending on your type of diabetes and how well it is controlled. For most people, A1c is measured 3 to 4 times a year.
- The glycohemoglobin test does not replace the need for other regular blood glucose tests, including checking your blood sugar at home and a regular blood glucose test. For more information, see the medical test Home Blood Glucose Test and Blood Glucose.
- Many people with diabetes have high blood sugars at times when they would not be checking their blood sugar, such as after meals or during the night. Glycohemoglobin A1c may show these periods of high blood sugar that would not be found by a home blood glucose test.
- Some people who develop diabetes have normal glycohemoglobin tests early in the course of their disease.
- Glycohemoglobin levels can be normal in some people who have untreated diabetes and certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia, severe kidney disease, or pregnancy.
- If you have diabetes, having a high glycohemoglobin level increases your chances of having other problems. Lowering your glycohemoglobin levels can help delay or prevent problems, such as serious nerve, kidney, and eye damage.
- Glycohemoglobin levels are not useful for finding low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: May 29, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
| Results | |
| What Affects the Test | |
 | What To Think About |
| References | |
| Credits | |