You're not alone if you’ve heard the term "HbA1c" but aren't sure what it means or why it's essential to understanding your health. Many people aren’t familiar with this blood test until their doctor mentions it.
But understanding your HbA1c, what it measures, and why it matters should be on your radar. Keeping a close eye on it is crucial for staying healthy in the long term. Here’s why.
What does an HbA1c test measure?
The HbA1c test measures your average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.
HbA1c stands for "hemoglobin A1c," which refers to the glucose that attaches to a protein called hemoglobin in your red blood cells.
Since red blood cells live for about three months, the test gives a long-term view of your blood glucose levels.
Unlike a regular blood glucose test that only gives a snapshot of your glucose levels at a single point in time, HbA1c provides a complete picture of how well your body has been managing glucose over a longer period.
Why is HbA1c so important?
Knowing your HbA1c levels is critical because high blood glucose levels over time can lead to serious health problems. If left unchecked, it can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems and nerve damage.
One study found that even a 1% rise in HbA1c levels could lead to a 30% higher chance of dying from any cause and a staggering 40% higher risk of heart disease.
That’s why keeping your HbA1c in a healthy range and monitoring it for changes—even small ones—is crucial to staying healthy.
What do the results mean?
Your HbA1c results are reported as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your average blood glucose levels over the past few months.
Here’s a quick guide to understanding your results:
Below 6% – This is considered a normal HbA1c level for people without diabetes.
6.0% to 6.4% – This range indicates pre-diabetes, which means you have higher-than-normal blood glucose levels and are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
6.5% or higher – A result in this range means you likely have type 2 diabetes.
Help! I’m out of normal range, what can I do?
If your HbA1c result is higher than 6%, your doctor will most likely diagnose you with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. However, this is the best time to take action. Recent research shows that up to 75% of people who take action to improve their HbA1c within the first year of diagnosis are likely to return their HbA1c to a non-diabetes range, without needing medication.
Lowering HbA1c requires managing blood glucose levels. The most effective way to do this is to reduce your carbohydrate intake, focus on eating enough protein at each meal to keep you full, and add healthy fats for energy.
Common questions about HbA1c blood tests:
How often should my HbA1c be checked?
If you’ve ever had high blood glucose levels or any sort of health issue, it’s a wise idea to find out what your HbA1c is. Once you have a ‘baseline’ HbA1c result, you should get it reviewed every 3-6 months.
How do I get my HbA1c checked?
Many doctors will order an HbA1c as part of a routine health check. However, if you haven’t had your HbA1c checked yet, you can order it yourself through our partner, Bloody Good Tests. You’ll get a pathology referral for the test without the need for a doctor’s appointment.
How can HbA1c help you stay on track?
If you’ve never had an HbA1c test done, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Regular testing helps you stay on top of your health, so you can catch changes early and take steps to prevent serious complications. We recommend knowing your HbA1c before you start a low carb approach and then having a follow-up HbA1c test three to four months later to see how changes to diet have directly impacted your blood glucose.
The HbA1c test is especially important for people already living with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. It can help you see if your current treatment or eating approach is working or if more support and adjustments are needed.
Lowering your HbA1c by just 0.2% can reduce your risk of serious health problems by 10% so it’s worth keeping a close eye on your results.
Summary
The HbA1c test is a simple but powerful tool for understanding your long-term blood glucose levels. Whether you’re concerned about pre-diabetes, managing type 2 diabetes, or just want to stay on top of your health, it’s an important test that can help guide your journey toward better health.
By knowing your HbA1c, you can take control of your future and make changes that count.
