The Purpose of A1C Testing and What It Means for Diabetic Health

If you have diabetes or you’re at risk of developing it, managing your blood sugar is essential – and A1C testing plays a key role. Unlike a single blood glucose reading, which tells you what’s happening in the moment, the purpose of A1C testing is to provide a more comprehensive view of blood sugar control over time. This allows you and your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about your care so you can avoid complications and maintain long-term health. 

In this article, we’ll explain A1C testing and what it reveals, along with how to interpret test results, recommended testing frequency and factors that can impact test accuracy. 

If you have diabetes or you’re at risk of developing it, timely diagnosis and care are essential to help prevent health complications. At Cary Medical Group, our internal medicine physicians specialize in the treatment of diabetes. We invite you to contact us for an appointment today – we’ll create a personalized care plan to reduce the impact of diabetes on your daily life so you can live the healthiest life possible. 

What is A1C Testing and What Does It Reveal?

A1C testing, sometimes referred to as hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c testing, measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months. The testing reflects long-term blood sugar trends that may not be noticeable with daily glucose readings alone, which helps us make more informed treatment decisions. 

A1C testing is used to:

• Diagnose diabetes
• Screen for prediabetes
• Monitor how treatment is progressing over time and adjust as necessary
• Identify risks for potential complications 

Testing is essential because higher A1C levels may increase the risk of complications, including:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage
• Vision problems 

A1C tests can be done at any time of day, and no fasting is required beforehand.

How Do You Read Results from an A1C Test?

A1C results are reported as percentages; the percentage reflects how much of your hemoglobin has glucose attached to it. The higher the percentage, the higher your average blood sugar levels over the previous few months.

In general, lower percentages signal better blood sugar control; higher percentages indicate elevated blood sugar levels. 

Standard A1C diagnostic ranges:

• Below 5.7% is considered normal.
• 5.7%–6.4% is signals prediabetes.
• 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.

Sometimes A1C results may be converted into what’s known as an estimated average glucose (eAG) measurement. For example:

• 6% = 126 mg/dL
• 7% = 154 mg/dL
• 8% = 183 mg/dL

If you have diabetes and you’re wondering what a good target number is, an A1C below 7% is a common treatment goal. However, the most appropriate A1C goal for you will vary based on your age, overall health, risk of low blood sugar and other medical conditions you may have. 

At Cary Medical Group, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan for you based on all these factors.

How Often Should You Have an A1C Test?

How often you should have an A1C test depends on your health status and how well your blood sugar is controlled. 

General recommendations:

• Adults with prediabetes are typically tested once per year to monitor blood sugar levels and assess the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications. 
• Adults with diabetes who have stable blood sugar levels within their target range usually have the test once every six months. This helps us confirm your treatment plan is working. 
• Adults whose treatment plans have changed or whose blood sugar levels are not within their goal range may require more frequent testing. In this case you may be tested every three months so we can measure the effectiveness of medications, diet and lifestyle changes. 

Regular A1C testing is essential for proactively managing your condition. It allows us to modify your treatment plan if necessary and helps prevent long-term complications.

How Accurate is A1C Testing and What Factors Can Impact Results?

A1C testing is a reliable and widely used tool for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. It provides more context than a single glucose reading, which allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment plan and make necessary adjustments. It also helps us assess your long-term risk for developing diabetes-related complications.  

However, because A1C measures your average blood sugar levels, it has some limitations. For example, it does not show: 

• Daily blood sugar variations
• Time spent in your healthy target range
• Episodes of high blood sugar or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Additionally, the presence of other health conditions can affect the accuracy of A1C results. These conditions include:

• Anemia
• Recent blood loss
• Blood transfusions
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Certain hemoglobin variants
• Other blood disorders that affect red blood cells or hemoglobin

Because of these limitations, A1C testing works best when combined with other methods of diabetes monitoring, such as daily glucose checks (fingerstick tests), reviewing data from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and regular medical evaluations. 

Cary Medical Group is Your Home for Expert Care and Management of Diabetes

If you have diabetes or you’re at risk of developing it, A1C testing is an essential tool for understanding long-term blood sugar management and making informed decisions about your health. 

Our internal medicine physicians at Cary Medical Group specialize in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. We’ll develop a personalized care plan and A1C testing schedule for you based on your specific health circumstances to help you maintain your long-term health and reduce diabetes-related complications. 

We encourage you to contact us for an appointment today.