HbA1c is the most important diabetes monitoring test — gives you a picture of average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months.
How It Works:
- Blood glucose binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
- Higher blood sugar = more glucose bound to hemoglobin.
- Red blood cell lifespan is 120 days — so the test reflects the 3-month average.
Values:
- Normal: Below 5.7% — no diabetes.
- Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4% — needs immediate lifestyle changes.
- Diabetes: 6.5% and above — confirmed diagnosis.
- Treatment target: Below 7% for most patients. Below 6.5% if possible without hypoglycemia.
Test Advantages:
- No fasting required — can be done anytime.
- Not affected by a single meal — reflects true average.
- Better than fasting sugar because it's more comprehensive.
Conditions Affecting Accuracy:
- Severe anemia or hemoglobin disorders.
- Recent blood transfusion.
- Pregnancy (random glucose preferred).
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we test HbA1c every 3 months for diabetes patients with results within a day.