The A1C test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes and then to gauge how well you're managing your diabetes. The A1C test goes by many other names, including glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C and HbA1c. The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control. Since the A1C test measures your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months instead of your blood sugar level at a point in time, it is a better reflection of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working overall. For a Type 1 Diabetic, it is recommended that you have an A1C test done three to four times a year. It is recommended for good control, to keep your A1C level under 8% and under 7% for tightest control although that is not always possible due to too many lows. Here is a chart that shows what the results mean:
Average blood sugar level
5 percent 80 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L)
6 percent 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L)
7 percent 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L)
8 percent 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L)
9 percent 210 mg/dL (11.7 mmol/L)
10 percent 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L)
11 percent 270 mg/dL (15 mmol/L)
12 percent 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L)
13 percent 333 mg/dL (18.5 mmol/L)
14 percent 360 mg/dL (20 mmol/L)
"Courtesy of MayClinic"
Vince has his A1C test check every three months with his Endocrinologist.
November 2010 - 7.4%
February 2011 - 6.7%
May 2011 - 7.3%
September 2011 - 7.0%
December 2011 - 6.6%
March 2012 - 6.4%
July 2012 - 7.5%
December 2012 - 7.2%
March 2013 - 7.2%
July 2013 - 7.1%
