Morning Routine Tips from a Longevity Expert to Support Healthy Biological Aging

Hemoglobin A1c, commonly known as HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin, is a crucial laboratory test used to monitor blood sugar control over an extended period. This test measures the percentage of hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells that have glucose attached to them. Since red blood cells typically live for about three months, the HbA1c test provides an average picture of blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. This makes it particularly valuable for diagnosing diabetes and assessing how well diabetes management strategies are working.

The HbA1c test differs from regular blood glucose tests that measure sugar levels at a single point in time. While daily glucose monitoring shows immediate fluctuations, HbA1c reveals long-term patterns and trends. For people with diabetes, maintaining target HbA1c levels is essential for reducing the risk of complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, eye problems, and cardiovascular disease. Healthcare providers typically recommend HbA1c testing at least twice a year for people with stable diabetes control, and more frequently for those adjusting their treatment plans or struggling to meet their targets.

The test results are reported as a percentage. For most adults without diabetes, a normal HbA1c level is below 5.7 percent. Levels between 5.7 and 6.4 percent indicate prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. An HbA1c level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests typically indicates diabetes. For people already diagnosed with diabetes, the general target is usually below 7 percent, though individual goals may vary based on age, overall health, and other factors.

No special preparation is needed for the HbA1c test, and it can be performed at any time of day without fasting. The test requires only a small blood sample, usually drawn from a vein in the arm. Results are typically available within a few days. However, certain conditions can affect the accuracy of HbA1c results, including anemia, recent blood loss, certain genetic variants of hemoglobin, kidney or liver disease, and recent blood transfusions. In such cases, healthcare providers may use alternative tests or interpret results differently to ensure accurate diabetes monitoring.