Understanding HbA1c
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measures average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months. It reflects the percentage of hemoglobin with glucose attached. Unlike daily glucose readings, A1c shows overall glucose control and isn't affected by recent meals or stress.
A1c Categories
Normal: <5.7% (avg glucose <117 mg/dL)
Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4% (avg 117-137 mg/dL)
Diabetes: ≥6.5% (avg >137 mg/dL)
Target for most diabetics: <7%
Intensive control goal: <6.5%
Elderly/complications: <8% may be appropriate
Managing A1c
Reduce A1c through diet (low glycemic index, portion control), exercise (150 min/week), weight loss (5-10% improves significantly), medications (metformin, insulin, etc.), and monitoring (check glucose regularly). Each 1% reduction in A1c reduces microvascular complications by 37%.
Quick Tips
- BMI alone doesn't reflect overall health
- TDEE varies based on activity level
- Consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
Every 3 months if not at goal or changing treatment. Every 6 months if at goal and stable.
Yes. Anemia, recent bleeding, or hemoglobin variants can affect results. Use glucose monitoring too.
Usually yes (≥6.5% on two occasions), but fasting glucose or OGTT can also diagnose.
Daily glucose is snapshot; A1c is 2-3 month average. Both are important for management.
In prediabetes and early diabetes, yes, through diet, exercise, and weight loss. Advanced diabetes usually needs medication.