HbA1c (DCCT)
Track HbA1c levels for 3-month average blood sugar monitoring. Learn about diabetes management through precision biomarker tracking.
What is HbA1c?
HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) measures the percentage of hemoglobin that has glucose attached to it, reflecting average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Unlike daily glucose readings, HbA1c provides a stable measure of long-term glycemic control.
Why is it Tested?
Doctors use HbA1c to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes, monitor diabetes management, and assess cardiovascular disease risk. It’s particularly valuable because it’s not affected by recent meals, stress, or daily fluctuations in blood glucose.
Normal Ranges
American Diabetes Association criteria:
- Normal: <5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7–6.4%
- Diabetes: ≥6.5%
For people with diabetes, the general target is <7%, though individual targets may vary.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Low HbA1c
Values below normal may indicate:
- Excellent glycemic control
- Recent blood loss or anemia
- Hemoglobin disorders
- Kidney or liver disease
High HbA1c
Elevated levels suggest:
- Prediabetes or diabetes
- Poor glycemic control in known diabetics
- Increased cardiovascular disease risk
- Need for medication adjustment
How to Track Over Time
HbA1c changes slowly, reflecting the 120-day lifespan of red blood cells. Tracking quarterly helps assess the effectiveness of diabetes management strategies and medication adjustments. Even small improvements (0.5% reduction) significantly reduce diabetic complications.
Track your HbA1c (DCCT) results over time
Upload your lab PDFs and see trends automatically.