How does a1c blood test work

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The singer and actor shares why using the "time in range" metric to help manage his type 1 diabetes has been a "life-changing" discovery. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. What to do about high levels How to manage levels Takeaway People with diabetes used to depend on daily finger pricks to measure their blood sugar levels. What does the A1C test for diabetes measure? About A1C levels. Share on Pinterest Print. How does an A1C test for diabetes work?

However, your personal goal will depend on many things such as your age and any other medical conditions. Work with your doctor to set your own individual A1C goal. People who are older, have severe lows, or have other serious health problems may have a higher goal.

Two people can have the same A1C, one with steady blood sugar levels and the other with high and low swings. Keep track and share the results with your doctor so you can make changes to your treatment plan if needed. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.

All About Your A1C. Managing blood sugar and A1C levels is necessary because a number of complications can develop with diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease. As A1C percentages rise, so does the risk of prediabetes becoming type 2 diabetes, and complications arising in those who already have a diagnosis. For example, one research team found that people with an A1C of 6.

The review looked at 16 studies that included more than 44, people who researchers had studied over 5. Managing glucose levels can reduce the risk of complications affecting the small blood vessels, especially of the eyes and kidneys, and the coronary arteries. However, an individual will work out their own blood sugar and A1C targets with their doctor or another healthcare provider, as each person is different. A doctor may suggest the A1C test at the beginning of a pregnancy, to see if someone with risk factors for diabetes has a high score.

Later in the pregnancy, they may test for gestational diabetes in other ways as pregnancy can affect the A1C test result. If a person has gestational diabetes, the doctor may also test up to 12 weeks after delivery, as gestational diabetes can sometimes develop into type 2 diabetes afterward. A large study of A1C testing concluded that testing once every 3 months can help people with diabetes keep their blood glucose levels steady, especially if their initial score was 7 percent or above.

The researchers found that individuals who tested four times a year saw an average 3. Meanwhile, people who tested just once a year experienced an average 1.

For those without diabetes, the ADA recommend that anyone who is 45 years of age or more, or who is under 45 years old but has risk factors for diabetes such as obesity, should seek a baseline test. An individual may need to attend further testing, depending on the result of their baseline test,. People who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy may need to arrange screening every 3 years. It is also sensible to do regular blood glucose tests at home and to follow the correct treatment plan for diabetes between tests.

It can also be helpful to connect with people who understand what it is like to live with type 2 diabetes. T2D Healthline is a free app that provides support through one-one-one messaging, live group discussions, and expert resources on type 2 diabetes. Download the app for iPhone or Android. The A1C test is a simple blood test. You don't need to fast for the A1C test, so you can eat and drink normally before the test.

During the A1C test, a member of your health care team takes a blood sample by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm or pricking your finger tip with a small, pointed lancet. If the blood is taken from a vein, the blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Blood from a finger prick may be analyzed in your doctor's office for same-day results. This in-office test is only used for monitoring your treatment plan, not for diagnosis or screening.

A1C test results are reported as a percentage. A higher A1C percentage corresponds to higher average blood sugar levels. Results for a diagnosis are interpreted as follows:. Lower or higher targets may be appropriate for some people. If your A1C level is above your target, your doctor may recommend an adjustment in your diabetes treatment plan. A part of your treatment plan will include self-monitoring at home with a blood glucose meter or other device.