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Hemoglobin A1c%
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous two to three months.
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What Hemoglobin A1c measures
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous two to three months.
If your Hemoglobin A1c is low
A low A1c is usually not a concern, although some blood conditions can lower it artificially.
Commonly associated with
- Faster red cell turnover
- Blood loss
- Pregnancy
If your Hemoglobin A1c is high
An A1c above the range reflects higher average glucose over the past two to three months; ranges around 5.7–6.4% are commonly labelled prediabetes and 6.5% or above diabetes, but iron status and some blood conditions can shift the number.
Commonly associated with
- Higher average glucose
- Insulin resistance
- Low iron affecting the reading
- Certain blood conditions
Typical reference range
| Group | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Adults | 4.8 – 5.6 % |
Typical adult values used by many US labs. Your own report prints the range your lab validated for its method, and that range is the one that counts. Labwise always uses the printed range first.
If it is within range
Your A1c is within the range printed by your lab.
Also listed as
HbA1c, A1c, Hgb A1c, Glycohemoglobin
Related tests
This page is general information about what a laboratory test measures and what results outside a reference range are commonly associated with. It is not medical advice, does not diagnose any condition and does not replace your clinician. Discuss your results with your healthcare provider.