

This is because your blood glucose keeps changing based on your diet, physical activity, and hormonal changes. Although this test is accurate, it would be momentary. Usually, people with diabetes depend on urine tests or daily finger-prick tests to measure their blood sugar levels. This test shows the person’s average blood sugar levels for 2 to 3 months before the test hence, this test would help the physician understand how well a person’s diabetes is being controlled. As red blood cells live for an average of 3 months these glucose molecules reflect in the bloodstream for about 2 to 3months.Ī blood test can measure the amount of hemoglobin A1c in the blood. If a person’s blood glucose level is higher, then he will have more hemoglobin A1c molecules. Hemoglobin A1c can help to measure blood glucose levels. Hence hemoglobin gets glycosylated, and it is known as hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c (1).

Everybody has glucose molecules attached to the hemoglobin, but people with diabetes have more such molecules. When sugar enters your bloodstream, it gets attached to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Hemoglobin protein molecules are present inside red blood cells it helps to carry oxygen to the cells of your body. This article helps you to understand more about the hemoglobin A1c test, normal A1c levels, and more. This hemoglobin A1c depends on the blood glucose levels the highe the glucose level, the higher the A1c molecules in the blood. A small percentage of hemoglobin gets attached to sugar or glucose molecules this type of hemoglobin molecule is known as hemoglobin A1c. They are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body tissues. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing molecule within the red blood cells. It is considered a reliable measure of blood sugar as it reflects the cumulative glycemic history of the past two to three months. The American Diabetes Association has recommended glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a diagnostic test for diabetes.
