What is a glycohemoglobin/glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test and what do the results mean?
This test is done to monitor a person’s average blood glucose level over the past 3 months or so. Unlike fasting and postprandial (after meal) tests that only give a value for a slice of time, this test gives an average over time. It is not usually used to diagnose impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, but rather to assess glucose control. Glucose attaches itself to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Since blood cells remain in circulation for 2-3 months, the HbA1c level is a good measure of average glucose level during this time period. A healthy level is less than 6 percent. When a level gets above 6 percent, it indicates some high blood sugar levels. Higher levels may indicate risk for organ and nerve damage. In someone who is trying to get pregnant, it is important to have blood sugar under control as elevated levels increase the risk of serious birth defects.
