What It Measures

The University of California, San Francisco's Children's Hospital states that the HbA1c test measures the percentage of hemoglobin cells in the blood that have glucose attached to them. This provides an estimate of your blood glucose levels over the past three months.

Normal Readings

A normal HbA1c reading for a person who does not have diabetes will be less than 6 percent. Diabetics who are trying to control their blood glucose levels normally aim for a reading of less than 7 percent.

Why It's Important

In order to avoid the long term complications of diabetes, it is vitally important to keep your blood glucose levels under tight control. The National Institutes of Health indicates that these complications include eye damage, nerve damage, heart disease, kidney damage, stroke and more.

Not For Everyone

Diabetes Monitor says that there is a small portion of the population that will report a false high reading when taking the HbA1c. This is due to the shorter lifespan of their hemoglobin cells and the fact that glucose sticks better to younger cells.

Not A Perfect Test

The HbA1c test measures the average blood glucose levels over the past three months. Due to the nature of the average, a person who has a lot of highs and lows will have the same result as a person who maintains a stable reading.

Source

HbA1c: MedicinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Diabetes Monitor: What Does My HbA1c Result Really Mean

Hormonal Disorders - Diabetes - Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Blood Test