Hemoglobin A1c shows your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months, guiding diabetes screening and care.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. It measures the share of your haemoglobin that has sugar attached to it.
Because red blood cells live around three months, HbA1c gives a longer view than a single glucose reading and does not depend on whether you have just eaten.
HbA1c is the standard test for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes. A higher value means your average blood sugar has been running high, which over time damages blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes.
It also picks up prediabetes, a stage where blood sugar is raised but not yet in the diabetic range and where lifestyle changes can make a real difference.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
| Category | HbA1c (IFCC / NGSP) |
| Normal | below 39 mmol/mol (below 5.7%) |
| Prediabetes | 39 to 47 mmol/mol (5.7 to 6.4%) |
| Diabetes | 48 mmol/mol or above (6.5% or above) |
Ranges are guidance only and follow WHO and IFCC standards used in Germany. German labs report in mmol/mol (IFCC); the percent value (NGSP) is shown for reference. Read against your own lab's interval.
Anything that changes red blood cell lifespan can skew HbA1c, including anaemia, recent blood loss, iron deficiency, pregnancy, and some haemoglobin variants. In those cases glucose or other measures are used instead. Fasting is not needed.
Read alongside fasting glucose, and with a lipid panel when overall metabolic risk is being assessed.
What does my HbA1c mean in plain terms? It shows your average blood sugar over the last few months. Higher values mean higher average glucose.
Do I need to fast for this test? No. You can test at any time of day without fasting.
How often should I check HbA1c? Many people repeat it about every 3 months when care is changing, and every 6 months when stable. Your clinician may tailor this.
What can affect my result? Anemia, hemoglobin variants, recent blood loss or transfusion, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, and some medicines or supplements can shift results.
How long do results take? Results are usually ready in about 7 days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? Bring symptoms, glucose logs or CGM data, all medicines and supplements, and any history of anemia or hemoglobin variants.
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