Summary of A1C Test for Diabetes, Animation

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The A1C test is a blood test used to diagnose diabetes and monitor the progress of a treatment plan. The test result reflects the average blood sugar levels in the past 3 months. A1C is a type of glycated hemoglobin - a hemoglobin that is bound to glucose. The higher the blood glucose levels, the more glucose binds to hemoglobin, the greater the amount of A1C. A normal blood glucose level corresponds to an A1C result of less than 5.7%. An A1C level higher than 6.5% indicates diabetes.

• 00:00:00 A1C is a blood test used to diagnose diabetes and monitor the progress of a treatment plan. The test result reflects the average blood sugar levels in the past 3 months. A1C is a type of glycated hemoglobin - a hemoglobin that is bound to glucose. Hemoglobin is the major protein of red blood cells. A1C forms as a result of interaction between red blood cells and sugar in the blood. The higher the blood glucose levels, the more glucose binds to hemoglobin, the greater the amount of A1C. The A1C blood test reports the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to glucose. Once a hemoglobin is glycated, it remains that way in the blood, until the red blood cell carrying it is removed from the circulation. Because the average lifespan of a red blood cell is 3 to 4 months, A1C measurement represents the status of blood glucose for the past 3 months or so. A normal blood glucose level corresponds to an A1C result of less than 5.7%. An A1C level higher than 6.5% indicates diabetes. Between 5.7 and 6.5% is prediabetes. An estimated average glucose level, eAG, measured in concentration units, milligrams per dec