Renewed Health Today

The A1c test is used primarily to monitor the glucose control of diabetics over time. The goal of those with diabetes is to keep their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. This helps to minimize the complications caused by chronically elevated glucose levels, such as progressive damage to body organs like the kidneys, eyes, cardiovascular system, and nerves. The A1c test gives a picture of the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last few months. It can help a patient and his doctor know if the measures they are taking to control the patient’s diabetes are successful or need to be adjusted.The A1c test is frequently ordered on newly diagnosed diabetics to help determine how elevated their uncontrolled blood glucose levels have been. It may be ordered several times while control is being achieved, and then several times a year to verify that good control is being maintained.

Depending on the type of diabetes that you have, how well your diabetes is controlled, and your doctor, your A1c may be measured 2 to 4 times each year. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends testing your A1c:

• 4 times each year if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and use insulin; or
• 2 times each year if you have type 2 diabetes and do not use insulin.

When someone is first diagnosed with diabetes or if control is not good, A1c may be ordered more frequently.

A 1% change in an A1c result reflects a change of about 30 mg/dL (1.67 mmol/L) in average blood glucose. For instance, an A1c of 6% corresponds to an average glucose of 135 mg/dL (7.5 mmol/L), while an A1c of 9% corresponds to an average glucose of 240 mg/dL (13.5 mmol/L). The closer a diabetic can keep their A1c to 6%, the better their diabetes is in control. As the A1c increases, so does the risk of complications.

Comparing Blood Glucose Results

With A1C (USA/Canada)

Mg/dL	mmol/L	A1C, %
65<	3.5	4
100	5.5	5
135	7.5	6
170	9.5	7
205	11.5	8
240	13.5	9
275	15.5	10
310	17.5	11
345	19.5	12