HbA1c Equation:
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HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is a form of hemoglobin that is chemically linked to glucose. It provides an average of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months and is a key indicator of long-term glycemic control in diabetes management.
The calculator uses the conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula converts average blood glucose levels (eAG) to the corresponding HbA1c percentage, providing a standardized way to interpret glucose control.
Details: HbA1c testing is crucial for diabetes diagnosis and monitoring. It helps assess long-term glucose control, predict diabetes complications, and guide treatment decisions. The American Diabetes Association recommends maintaining HbA1c below 7% for most adults with diabetes.
Tips: Enter your average blood glucose level in mg/dL. The value should be based on multiple glucose readings over time for accurate conversion to HbA1c percentage.
Q1: What is the normal range for HbA1c?
A: For non-diabetic individuals, normal HbA1c is below 5.7%. Values between 5.7-6.4% indicate prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher suggests diabetes.
Q2: How often should HbA1c be tested?
A: People with diabetes should typically have HbA1c tested every 3-6 months, depending on their treatment plan and glucose control stability.
Q3: Can HbA1c be inaccurate in certain conditions?
A: Yes, conditions like anemia, hemoglobin variants, kidney disease, or recent blood loss can affect HbA1c accuracy. In these cases, alternative tests may be needed.
Q4: What's the difference between daily glucose readings and HbA1c?
A: Daily glucose readings show moment-to-moment fluctuations, while HbA1c provides a 2-3 month average, giving a broader picture of overall glucose control.
Q5: How does HbA1c correlate with average glucose levels?
A: Generally, an HbA1c of 6% corresponds to an average glucose of about 126 mg/dL, with each 1% change representing approximately 29 mg/dL change in average glucose.