Hemoglobin A1c

Hemoglobin A1c is hemoglobin with glucose attached. Its percentage in blood estimates average glucose exposure over roughly the previous two to three months.

Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. A1c is a glycated form of this protein.
Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus is a group of disorders characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose. A1c helps diagnose and monitor this group of disorders.
Blood glucose: Blood glucose is the concentration of glucose circulating in the bloodstream. A1c reflects cumulative exposure to this circulating sugar.
Fasting plasma glucose: Fasting plasma glucose is the concentration of glucose in plasma after a period without caloric intake. It measures glucose at one moment rather than accumulated hemoglobin glycation.
Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial was a landmark study comparing intensive and conventional diabetes treatment in type 1 diabetes. It established the link between lower A1c and reduced microvascular complications.
Glycation: Glycation is the nonenzymatic attachment of sugars to proteins or other molecules. Glucose attaches to hemoglobin through this process.
Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells. A1c is used to track long-term glucose control in this form of diabetes.
Glycated hemoglobin: Glycated hemoglobin is hemoglobin chemically modified by glucose or related sugars. Hemoglobin A1c is the most commonly measured glycated hemoglobin.
Oral glucose tolerance test: The oral glucose tolerance test measures blood glucose before and after a standardized oral glucose drink. It detects post-load glucose abnormalities that A1c may not show.
United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study: The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study was a clinical trial of glucose control and outcomes in type 2 diabetes. It helped establish the clinical value of improving long-term glycemic control.

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