Know Your Numbers: Why the A1c Test Matters for Diabetes

If you have diabetes or are at risk of getting it, you probably check your blood sugar often. But there’s another important test you should know about — the A1c test. This test gives a bigger picture of how your blood sugar has been doing over time.

What Is the A1c Test?

The A1c test is a simple blood test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. While finger sticks tell you what your sugar is at that moment, the A1c test shows how well you’ve been managing it long-term. When sugar enters your blood, it sticks to a protein in red blood cells called hemoglobin. The A1c test checks how much sugar is stuck to the hemoglobin. The higher the number, the higher your average blood sugar has been.

Why the A1c Test Is Important

Keeping your A1c number in a healthy range can help prevent serious health problems like heart disease, kidney damage, eye problems and nerve pain. Most people with diabetes aim for an A1c below 7, but your goal might be different based on your age, health, and treatment plan.

A1c results help your care team see how your treatment is working and if anything needs to change. Even if your daily numbers look okay, your A1c might show a different story.

“The A1c test is the most important test a diabetic patient can get to assess the overall control of their condition,” said Bayhealth’s Vice President, Physician Services and Clinical Integration Lawrence Ward, MD, MPH, MACP. “It is vital for clinicians to be able to adjust a treatment plan, if necessary, to better control your blood sugar over the long term.”

Get Tested Regularly

If you have diabetes, you should get your A1c tested at least twice per year. If you’re newly diagnosed or changing your treatment, you may need it more often — about every three months.

This test can also help find pre-diabetes before it turns into full diabetes. If your doctor talks about A1c testing, it’s a good idea to listen.

Take Charge of Your Health

Visit Bayhealth.org/Services/Diabetes-Management or call Bayhealth Endocrinology at 302-237-7149 to learn more. Managing diabetes takes effort every day. Talk to your doctor about your A1c number and what you can do to keep it in the right range. A small blood test can make a big difference in your future. Your health is worth it!