What Is an Hba1c Reading of 6.7 Mean?
[Last updated 9th Jan, 2019]
HbA1c is a marker used to measure out long-term blood sugar (glucose) levels.
Those with blazon 1 or type 2 diabetes may have seen it before, merely what is a normal HbA1c range?
This article explores what your HbA1c reading should be and how you can improve it.
What is HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)?
HbA1c is a marker that can determine your average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the previous iii-months (1).
That ways it can be used to assess the quality of your diabetes management, as well as to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Sometimes HbA1c is also chosen glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c or merely A1c.
The 'Hb' refers to hemoglobin, a part of ruby blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your trunk.
'A1c' refers to a minor part of hemoglobin that sugar molecules attach to.
The amount of saccharide attached is straight proportional to the amount of sugar in your blood at a given time, and so this reading is used to accurately reverberate boilerplate blood sugar levels.
If you've had high claret saccharide levels in the by month or and so, your HbA1c levels will be higher besides.
Summary: HbA1c is a marker that reflects your average blood sugar levels in the previous 3 months. It's also called glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c or just A1c.
Normal HbA1c Range
The HbA1c test is measured as either a percentage or in mmol/mol.
Below I've listed what is considered a normal HbA1c range, and what values would exist considered outside of normal (pre-diabetic or diabetic):
HbA1c range for normal (non-diabetic) adults:
- Beneath vi.0%, or below 42 mmol/mol
HbA1c range for pre-diabetes:
- half dozen.0% to half-dozen.4%, or 42 to 47 mmol/mol
HbA1c range for diabetes:
- half-dozen.5% or above, or 48 mmol/mol or to a higher place.
Target ranges are as well shown below in this tabular array:
| HbA1c | % | mmol/mol |
| Normal | Below 6.0% | Below 42 mmol/mol |
| Pre-diabetes | 6.0% to half-dozen.4% | 42 to 47 mmol/mol |
| Diabetes | 6.5% or to a higher place | 48 mmol/mol or above |
Normal HbA1c Range For Diabetes
Those with diabetes are advised to aim for a HbA1c level of:
- six.5% or 48 mmol/mol.
A value lower than this 6.5% target indicates swell claret sugar command, a value college indicates the need for improvement.
Now this range is 0.v% higher than the normal range given for those without diabetes, as it's unlikely that diabetes patients tin can lucifer that exact same blood carbohydrate control.
In fact, some experts believe a more realistic healthy range for diabetics should exist 7-seven.five%.
Summary: The normal HbA1c range is below half-dozen.0% for the average adult, and 6.5% or less for those with diabetes. Some argue the the normal range should be slightly higher for diabetics.
Testing HbA1c Levels vs Blood Glucose Finger Prick
The typical fasting blood glucose finger prick shows your claret sugar levels correct at that moment.
These are (confusingly) measured in mmol/L or mg/dL.
Measuring HbA1c levels instantly provides a bigger picture view, kind of similar an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.
It'southward commonly taken from your regular arm blood test rather than the finger prick.
This HbA1c chart shows how the different tests correlate with one another. HbA1c levels are shown at the top, and blood glucose (the finger prick test) is shown below:
Click to enlarge. Image source
Every bit an instance, if your average claret glucose (sugar) reading in the finger prick tests is around 10.0 mmol/50, then your HbA1c level will be well-nigh 8%.
Said another mode, if y'all get a HbA1c of 9% then we know your average claret glucose level is about 11.eight mmol/Fifty for the by few months.
Hither's some other HbA1c chart that shows those comparisons side-past-side:
| HbA1c levels (%) | HbA1c levels (mmol/mol) | Blood Glucose (mmol/L) |
| 13 | 119 | 18 |
| 12 | 108 | 17 |
| 11 | 97 | 15 |
| x | 86 | thirteen |
| 9 | 75 | 12 |
| 8 | 64 | 10 |
| 7 | 53 | 8 |
| half dozen | 42 | seven |
Summary: The blood glucose finger prick shows your current blood sugar levels, whereas HbA1c is representative of your previous 3-month average.
Risks of a High HbA1c Levels
HbA1c is an important marker considering it can judge the health risks associated with high claret sugar levels.
Studies prove those who can lower their HbA1c by just 1% (11 mmol/mol) will (two, 3):
- reduce their risk of neuropathy (damage to nerve endings) by 25%
- reduce their risk of retinopathy (harm to center retina) by 25%
- reduce their risk of diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) by 25%
- reduce their risk of heart failure by 15% for every ane% drop in HbA1c
- reduce their adventure amputations and vascular illness by 43%
- reduce their hazard of cataracts past 19%.
These numbers are based on observational data and therefore would vary somewhat between people. But they paint a powerful picture.
For instance, reducing your HbA1c from ix% to seven% volition cutting your adventure of neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy past half and about all chance of vascular disease. Gamble of heart failure and cataracts is also slashed by up to 38%.
Summary: HbA1c is a potent predictor of various major health problems related to diabetes.
Improving HbA1c and Diabetes Direction
If you're showing signs of high blood sugars or have a high HbA1c level then there are many things you can effort (other than medications like metformin).
Regular practice is very of import, as is maintaining a healthy weight.
Simply I'd contend that diet changes should exist your outset priority. Consider:
-
reducing your carbohydrate intake (afterward speaking with your doctor)
About Joe Leech, Dietitian (MSc Nutrition & Dietetics)
Joe Leech is a academy-qualified dietitian from Australia.
He graduated with a Available's degree in exercise science, followed by a Master's caste in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2011.
Learn more about him on the About page.
Source: https://www.dietvsdisease.org/normal-hba1c-range/
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