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A1C Levels: What You Need to Know

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If you have type 2 diabetes, then you are likely familiar with the A1C blood test. While other testing methods provide information on the blood sugar levels at the current time, this test gives an average blood glucose level over the past couple months. The A1C test allows clinicians to have a better picture of your overall diabetes control. It is more reliable than traditional finger stick test.

How Does the A1C Test Work?

Glucose binds to hemoglobin within the bloodstream, which is a protein. When the glucose and hemoglobin combine, the hemoglobin becomes glycated. The more glycated hemoglobin that you have in your bloodstream, the more your blood sugar rises.

Red blood cells are continuously dying off and being replaced, though red blood cells characteristically live about three months. The A1C blood test is able to give an accurate picture of your average blood sugar levels over the previous three months. A higher A1C percentage means that your blood sugar levels were higher than normal during that time.

What Are Standard A1C Levels?

If you have no history of diabetes, your A1C level should be below 5.7 percent. If you have an A1C of 5.7 to 6.4 percent, you fall in the pre-diabetic range. If your A1C is 6.5 or higher, then you would be diagnosed with diabetes.

The goal is to keep the A1C levels at 7 percent or less. When the A1C is steadily above goal, your doctor will adjust your diabetes management routine. This will help to reduce your risk of developing complications from your diabetes.

There are cases where a higher A1C goal is needed. Those who have low blood sugar, limited life-expectancy, diabetic complications, or diabetics that cannot reach lower goals, may have to keep their A1C between 7 to 8 percent.

How Does My A1C Level and My Average Blood Sugar Correlate?

This list gives you a better idea of how A1C levels translate to blood sugar numbers.

A1C Percentage = Average Blood Sugar

If your A1C is at 8 percent or higher, it indicates your diabetes is not being controlled properly.

Issues That Affect A1C Results

The A1C test is generally very precise, though there are some issues that can limit its efficacy:

How Often Should You Check Your A1C?

Your clinician will regulate your testing regularity based on your kind of diabetes, the recent level of control, and your existing treatment strategy. As a universal rule, A1C testing is suggested as follows:

Your clinician may order extra tests if there are complications in your diabetes medicine or treatment strategy.

Lowering Your A1C Levels

Reaching your A1C goal and lessening blood sugar variations can expand your overall quality of life and decrease your risk for diabetic difficulties, including blindness, neuropathy, and kidney damage. Here are some simple steps you can take to lower your A1C levels:

Preparing for A1C Testing

An A1C is a simple test that doesn’t require any preparations. A lab tech or nurse will get a small sample of your blood. They send this blood to a lab for analysis. They will let you know how long you can expect the results to take. In most cases, you should know your numbers within a couple days.

Are A1C Results Accurate?

A1C results may vary by as much as 0.5 percent. Each lab may have a different number, but they all should be within that .5 percent range. Both the A1C blood test and the finger stick blood glucose tests, are still the most commonly used tests to control diabetes. It is important to get control of your A1C to prevent lifelong complications.

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