Intermediate
Technical
IVT
HbA1c
Also written as: HbA1c — Hemoglobin A1c
Glycated hemoglobin test measuring average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
Full Definition
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that measures the percentage of hemoglobin proteins that have glucose attached to them, providing an average of blood sugar levels over the previous 2-3 months. It is the gold standard for monitoring long-term glycemic control in diabetes management and is expressed as a percentage, with target levels typically below 7% for most diabetic patients. Unlike daily glucose measurements, HbA1c provides a comprehensive picture of metabolic control over time.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize both letters in 'HbA1c' and include the lowercase 'c'.
In Context
- "The patient's HbA1c level of 8.2% indicates suboptimal glycemic control over the past three months." — Clinical assessment report
- "Target HbA1c goals should be individualized based on patient age, comorbidities, and life expectancy." — Treatment protocol
Also known as
glycated hemoglobin
hemoglobin A1c
glycosylated hemoglobin
Don't confuse with
HbA1
A1C