HbA1c
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is the share of your hemoglobin that is stably bound to glucose. It gives an integrated picture of your average blood glucose over roughly the past 2 to 3 months. The most recent 30 days count for about half of the signal, per published kinetic models. HbA1c is the primary biomarker for diagnosing and tracking type 2 diabetes (a threshold of 6.5%) and prediabetes (5.7 to 6.4%). But be aware: it is influenced by your red-blood-cell lifespan, by anemia, and by hemoglobin variants.
Last reviewed:
This definition is educational and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to a doctor about any health decisions. Read our full medical disclaimer
