Get To Know The Value Of A1C Testing
Checking in on your blood glucose levels throughout the day is an integral part of diabetes management. Daily blood glucose tests tell you your levels at that moment, however blood sugar levels can fluctuate throughout the day. The A1C test gives you an average of your blood sugar levels from the last 2-3 months. It lets you and your health care provider fully understand the ups and downs of your blood sugar levels so that you can make informed decisions about your diabetes management plan. For every 1-point reduction in A1C value, the risk of serious complications is reduced by 40%.
What is A1C testing?
An A1C test takes just five minutes and involves a quick finger stick blood test. It can be measured at any time of the day and there’s no need to fast or change your diet.
Who should take the test?
Anyone with diabetes should be taking the test at least twice a year. If your blood sugar is high, or you have changed your diabetes management regime, your doctor may want you to take the test about once every three months.
If you are at risk for diabetes, you should consider taking the A1C test.
Risk factors include:
- Age: 40 and above
- Family History: sibling or parent who has type 2 diabetes
- Ethnicity: high-risk populations include: Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or African descent
- History of gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes or evidence of complications of diabetes like eye, nerve or kidney problems
- Chronic conditions: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or being overweight (especially around the stomach area)
The science behind it
An A1C test measures how much hemoglobin A1C is in the blood. Hemoglobin A1C is formed when blood sugar sticks to the hemoglobin of red blood cells. As blood sugar levels rise, so do levels of hemoglobin A1C. Red blood cells live for around 3 months. This makes your hemoglobin A1C level a good indicator of how well your diabetes management has been working over the last 3 months.
What’s the score on your score?
In general, the Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that a person with diabetes try to achieve a value of 7% or less.
Seeing the big picture with daily glucose level monitoring and A1C testing will help you and your health care provider put together the most effective diabetes management plan for you.
For additional Diabetes information and resources, see our Diabetes section.
