If you are a diabetic, you must have heard of the HbA1c test. It is a test that should be done at least twice a year. The HbA1c test is used to measure your average blood glucose level from the previous 2-3 months. Physicians use this test to tell if you have been a “good patient.”
I remember my mom’s best friend who would often remark at how her doctor often knew she was not compliant to her diet when her fasting blood glucose results were so good. Remember that there is no use looking good for the doctor when the aim is for your personal well-being. Many patients do this to avoid having their primary care physician being cross with them with their lack of compliance, but know that this is ultimately deceiving yourself.
Your current blood glucose reading is only but a momentary blood glucose control. The HbA1c test measures your control at all times.
The normal range of the HbA1c test is 4-6%. For diabetics, the lower the value, the better the glucose control, lowering their risk of developing complications for the eyes, heart, kidneys, and feet. Diabetics should aim for values less than 7% as a lower HbA1c result means a lower risk of complications. Think of the test as a way to help you monitor your diabetes control and improve your lifestyle habits.
Below is a table of HbA1c results and your correlating diabetes control with health risks, adapted from a medical journal.
| HbA1c (%) | Average blood glucose (mg/dl) | Degree of Control | Health Risk |
| Less than or equal to 6 | 135 | Very excellent | Very low |
| 7 | 170 | Excellent | Low |
| 8 | 205 | Good | Good |
| 9 | 240 | Fair | Medium |
| 10 | 275 | Poor | High |
| 11 | 310 | Very poor | Very high |
| 12 or more | 345 | Extremely poor | Extremely high |
If you have poor control over your glycemia and are determined to make a change or to try to find new ways to help improve your glucose control, try talking to your healthcare team about your results and how you can use it to help manage your diabetes.
[expand title=”References“]
Your A1C Results: What Do They Mean? Clinical Diabetes. 2006; 24(1):9-9.
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