Reading an A1c Chart to Monitor Diabetes

The A1c test is a blood test that measures your average blood glucose (blood sugar) over a three-month period. It helps healthcare providers evaluate your risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes or, if you have diabetes, how well you're managing your blood sugar.

This article provides an A1c chart to help you understand what different A1c levels mean and how healthcare providers use them to diagnose, monitor, and treat diabetes.

How to Read an A1c Chart

A1c, also known as the hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c test, measures the amount of sugar that attaches to hemoglobin—a type of red blood cell—as it enters your bloodstream. Everyone has glucose coating their hemoglobin, but people with high blood glucose levels have more.

When healthcare provider tests your A1c, they are looking to measure the amount of hemoglobin in your blood that is coated with glucose. They then use these measurements to estimate your three-month average blood glucose.

A1c levels are usually organized by range on a chart and categorized as normal, prediabetes, or diabetes.

Purpose of Knowing Your A1c Range

Healthcare providers use the A1c test to glean information about how your metabolism and typical diet affect your blood sugar.

If your A1c falls within the normal range of 5.7% or less, a high blood glucose reading is related more to your last meal than your ongoing blood sugar levels.

When your A1c falls between 5.7% and 6.5%, it is considered prediabetic. An A1c in this range indicates that you regularly maintain a higher-than-normal blood glucose level, putting you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

If your A1c level is 6.5% or higher, a healthcare provider may officially diagnose you with type 2 diabetes. Once you're diagnosed, your provider will recommend a treatment plan to help control your blood sugar and prevent the long-term consequences of hyperglycemia. The treatment typically involves diet and lifestyle changes and medications.

How A1c Testing Works

An A1c test is taken in a similar way as other tests that monitor blood glucose.  A member of your healthcare team will take a small blood sample from a vein or a finger prick. Then, the sample is analyzed in a lab. The number of sugar-coated hemoglobin cells as a percentage of total hemoglobin is calculated to determine your A1c.

A healthcare provider will order this test to check for or diagnose prediabetes or diabetes or to establish how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. They may also order this test if you have symptoms of diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed. People who have already been diagnosed with diabetes usually have their A1c levels checked every six months.

Steps to Reach Your Target A1c Range

Your personal A1c goal will be determined by factors such as your age, your diagnosis, and any medical conditions you have. For most people with diabetes, an A1c reading under 7% is considered healthy, but your personal goal can vary.

Measures that can help you reach your goal include:

• Check your blood glucose levels regularly.
• Develop and follow a healthy eating plan.
• Get enough sleep.
• Get regular exercise.
• Reach a healthy weight and maintain it.
• Reduce stress.
  
• Take your diabetes and other medications as prescribed.
  

Summary

A1c testing is a tool that can determine your blood glucose level over an extended period of time and how well you're managing your condition. Day-to-day blood glucose levels can fluctuate, but the A1c test provides your three-month average blood glucose level. Work with a healthcare provider or diabetes specialist concerning when to check your A1c, your personal A1c goal, and the healthiest ways to reach your goal.