Checking blood sugar levels at home with your own monitor is the first way to know if your blood sugar readings are in the target range. Home glucose monitoring tells you about short-term control. Health care providers use the hemoglobin A1C blood test (also called HbA1C, GHb, and glycated hemoglobin) to determine long-term control of blood sugar levels.

The A1C is a simple lab test performed using a small sample of blood. The hemoglobin A1C test gives an estimate of how well-controlled blood sugar has been during the preceding three months.

What Is the Target Range for Hemoglobin A1C?
The American Diabetes Association^®* recommends keeping your A1C level at less than 7%. The risk of complications increases considerably when A1C levels are more than 8%. An A1C test should be performed at a minimum of twice a year, or as often as your health care provider advises.

How Can I Bring My A1C Level Down?
Monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently each day to discover the time of day when glucose levels are higher. Write down your results and share them with your health care provider. Your health care provider can work with you on strategies to help you better control your sugar levels.

Hemoglobin A1C Testing Does Not Replace Self-Monitoring
Checking sugar levels with your home monitor reveals how food, exercise, and diabetes medications affect your blood sugar; the hemoglobin A1C test does not. Each test provides very different sets of information. Both tests are needed to help control diabetes and lower the risk of complications.

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