Most people will have the test every three to six months. Your healthcare team will arrange this for you, but chase it up with your GP if you haven’t had one for a few months. You find out your HbA1c level by getting a blood test by a doctor or nurse. It’s different from a finger-prick test, which is a snapshot of your blood sugar levels at a particular time, on a particular day.
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You can check these average blood sugar levels yourself, but you’ll have to buy a kit, whereas your healthcare professional will do it for free. It is an important blood test that gives a good indication of how well your diabetes is being controlled. Hemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to your hemoglobin. Even a slightly raised HbA1c level makes you more at risk of serious complications, so get all the facts here and be in the know about HbA1c.
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Once you know your HbA1c level, it’s important that you understand what the results mean and how to stop them from getting too high. It's really important not to skip these tests, so if you haven't had one in over a year contact your healthcare team. But if your HbA1c is high or needs a little more attention, it’ll be done every three to six months. You’re entitled to get this test at least once a year. It’s a vital check and part of your annual review. This means getting your HbA1c checked regularly. Knowing your HbA1c level and what you can do to lower it will help you reduce your risk of devastating complications. This means you’re more likely to develop diabetes complications, like serious problems with your eyes and feet. Red blood cells are active for around 2-3 months, which is why the reading is taken quarterly.Ī high HbA1c means you have too much sugar in your blood. Your body can’t use the sugar properly, so more of it sticks to your blood cells and builds up in your blood. This is something that’s made when the glucose (sugar) in your body sticks to your red blood cells. HbA1c is what’s known as glycated haemoglobin. Plus, you can use our HbA1c converter tool if you’re looking to find out your level in % or mmol/mol.
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We’ll also explain the HbA1c test in more detail, and show you what you can do to lower your HbA1c levels if they’re too high.
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On this page we’ll go through what HbA1c means, and why aiming for your target level is so important. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%). If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months.