As glucose (also referred to as blood sugar) circulates in the bloodstream, some glucose molecules stick to a protein in the body that's only present in red blood cells: hemoglobin. Hemoglobin that has glucose attached is known as glycated hemoglobin—or HbA1c. Higher blood sugar levels result in a higher amount of glycated hemoglobin.

The HbA1c test—also called a glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, A1c, or hemoglobin A1c test—measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood and is often interpreted as the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. (This is because red blood cells typically live for about 3 months.)

Evaluating glucose levels with an HbA1c blood sugar test is different from using a blood glucose meter (or glucometer) to measure your blood sugar level. A glucometer measures your blood glucose levels at that moment—either right before or right after a meal.

However, blood sugar levels can change quite a lot throughout the day in response to the composition of the different meals you eat and changes in physical activity. Since an HbA1c test gives a 3-month average of blood sugar levels, it can be helpful for tracking long-term changes and monitoring overall glycemic control—and is often used as part of an evaluation for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as in the management of diabetes and prediabetes.

How the Everlywell HbA1c Test Measures Your Blood Sugar Level

If you want to check or track your average blood glucose levels to better understand your body's glycemic control, at-home blood sugar testing through HbA1c can be an easy, effective way to get started.

Our HbA1c blood test requires a small blood sample to measure your average blood glucose level (blood sugar) over the past 3 months to determine if you have had a normal range for glucose level.

Red blood cells have a lifespan of about 3 months but are constantly renewing within the body. Glucose attaches itself to hemoglobin, which is a protein found in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.

This HbA1c blood test provides a measure of average blood glucose levels to give you an overall look at your blood sugar level over a 3 month period. HbA1c values that fall outside the ideal range can mean a greater risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions.

Blood sugar levels tested as a single glucose level measurement, like with glucose tests for home monitoring, can vary significantly throughout the day based on many factors, including a recent meal or physical activity. For this reason, HbA1c testing gives a better representation of average blood sugar levels over time—and whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, or are simply looking to have a better understanding of your average glucose levels, our hemoglobin A1c test kit makes it easy to get an HbA1c result and measurement. (Note that this test is not a replacement for regular blood glucose level monitoring.)

The normal range for A1c varies, but for adults healthcare providers generally assess A1c based on these ranges:

• A normal A1c level is below 5.7%
• Prediabetes is between 5.7 to 6.4%
• Type 2 diabetes is above 6.5%
• The goal for most adults with diabetes is an A1c that is less than 7%

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Blurred vision
• Feeling more thirsty than usual
• Urinating more often than normal
• Fatigue and hunger
• Itchiness of the skin
• Slow wound healing
• Dryness within the mouth
• Numbness or pain in the body's lower extremities
• Nausea

Once you receive results for your HbA1c measurement, Everlywell can provide suggestions for lifestyle changes to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. As always, we encourage you to share your hemoglobin A1c test results with your healthcare provider, who can provide more specific guidance on lifestyle changes.

How often should I check my HbA1c levels if I have diabetes or prediabetes?

If you have diagnosed diabetes or prediabetes, tracking your A1c level may help you—and your healthcare provider—assess the effectiveness of your current treatment plan. Regular HbA1c testing can also help you see how choices you make—like diet—affect your blood sugar levels. However, an HbA1c test is not the same as the glucose result you get from a blood glucometer (or “glucose meter”). This kind of glucose test determines your at-the-moment blood glucose concentration, which often swings up and down throughout the day as you eat and exercise.

How often you should test your HbA1c depends on many factors, so talk with your healthcare provider about the testing frequency that’s right for you. If you’re interested in monitoring your HbA1c levels on a regular basis, consider the Everlywell subscription option for the HbA1c test. You’ll automatically receive an HbA1c test kit on a schedule you choose (available options are monthly, quarterly, and semi-annually).

• What is Hyperglycemia?
• Information on Prediabetes
• Information on Diabetes
• You could be at risk of diabetes and not even know it