What is an A1C Screening?

The A1C screening is an important blood test used to identify diabetes.

A hemoglobin A1C, HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin, or glycosylated hemoglobin screening reflects your average blood glucose (sugar) level over the past two to three months. The blood test measures how much sugar is attached to hemoglobin proteins in your bloodstream. People with higher blood glucose levels have more sugar attached to the hemoglobin resulting in a higher percentage. A normal HbA1c is considered 5.6% or lower. A person with prediabetes will have a HbA1c of 5.7-6.4% and a person with diabetes has 6.5% or higher. The higher the HbA1c percentage the higher the risk for diabetes complications.

Most often the A1c screening requires a doctor’s order and is performed in a lab center. However, you may also use at home screening kits ordered online or through a pharmacy.