The HGB A1C blood test is commonly ordered to determine if a patient is suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If a diabetes diagnosis has already been confirmed, then this blood test may also be ordered to track a patient’s process in treating the disease. The HGB A1C blood test has many different names, but what it does is quite simple: it measures blood sugar levels.
Unlike the at-home blood testing units that measure current blood sugar levels, the HGB A1C blood test will take more of a historical approach to the disease. The test results will show 60-90 days of average blood sugar levels. It does this by measuring the percentage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells that are coated with sugar.
The HGB A1C blood test may also be ordered to determine if there is a prediabetic condition that could soon lead to type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
What Do the HGB A1C Blood Test Results Mean?
Higher levels of A1C in the blood indicate a difficulty for the body to process sugars and control levels. It is possible for some to have a normal blood sugar result with an at-home testing machine, but have a high A1C result from the HGB A1C blood test.
If the test results do come back as high, then this measurement will either be used as a baseline for treatment if a diabetes diagnosis has not been made before. If the HGB A1C blood test is being used to track treatments, then the results will be compared to the baseline to determine if progress against the disease is being made.
Unlike the at-home testing which recommends a reading between 70-120, with a maximum of 140 about 2 hours after meals, the HGB A1C blood test results come back as a percentage measurement. For most labs that will conduct this blood test, here are the ranges that are looked at and what those results mean.
Very high:
8% or higher. If this measurement was placed on an at-home blood testing machine, the average reading every day would be 205. It is an indication that diabetes is not being controlled very well.
High:
6.1-7%. This test result indicates that diabetes control is under control and being managed appropriately. Although blood sugar levels are higher than normal, long-term health risks are reduced.
Normal:
4-5.9%. Although results that are near 6% may be considered a prediabetic condition for some patients, a result in this range typically means that diabetes is not present. If a diabetes diagnosis has already been confirmed, it means treatments are working effectively and that current habits should be maintained.
Low:
3.9% or lower. This could be an indication that type 1 diabetes is present or that type 2 diabetes is being treated too aggressively. This result may result in changes to medication. For those who do not have diabetes, it may indicate that there is malnutrition present.
Why Is It Important To Know These Results?
By knowing what the percentage measurements are for the HGB A1C blood test, a patient can know what they need to do in order to lower their risk for future health issues. Microvascular complications are common in individuals who have consistently high blood sugar levels and this can lead to severe health problems. By lowering blood sugar levels by just 1% over the 60-90 period this blood test measures, it is possible to lower the risks of damage occurring by up to 10%.
This is important to know because a person could lower their risks of microvascular complications dramatically while still have diabetes that is under poor control. Having a HGB A1C blood test come back with a 12% result and then having an 8% result on the next test would lower risks by 40%, yet the individual would still be in the “very high” results category.
Who Should Have the HGB A1C Blood Test?
The HGB A1C blood test is for anyone that is experiencing the signs and/or symptoms of diabetes. This may include excessive thirst, unexplained weight gain or loss, fatigue, urine that smells sugary, and nerve tingling in the extremities. Many of the symptoms of diabetes are initially missed, so many seek treatment when their test results are well into the very high range.
Early treatment can provide the best results when fighting diabetes. When caught early enough, type 2 diabetes can even be brought into remission with diet changes and exercise. By knowing what the HGB A1C blood test results mean, it becomes possible to have a testing baseline in place to track progress. For those with diabetes, this test is usually ordered at least 2x per year.
If you have any questions about your specific results, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.