How Often is A1C Checked? When To Check and Why!

This blog highlights all the questions you may have about the A1C test for diabetes, whether you are just getting started or already are a diabetic patient. Discover how often hemoglobin A1C is checked and guide you through the complexities of managing diabetes effectively. Whether you’re a healthcare provider or a patient, this comprehensive guide offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

The A1C test sometimes called an HbA1c or hemoglobin A1C test is a quick blood test that assesses your average blood sugar levels over the last three months. The primary test to assist you and your healthcare team in managing your diabetes is one of the often utilized tests to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. If you have diabetes, you must meet and maintain your personal A1C goal because higher A1C levels are associated with problems.

Why is the A1C Test Done?

It is important to keep track of your health and be aware of the changes in your body. Your doctor or another healthcare professional may benefit from the results of an A1C test because it can:

1. Monitor your treatment:
2. Diagnose pre-diabetes:
3. Diagnose type 1/2 diabetes:

What does the A1C Test Measure?

A protein found in your red blood cells called hemoglobin is where sugar binds when it enters your bloodstream. People with greater blood sugar levels have more sugar bound to their hemoglobin than those with lower blood sugar levels. The percentage of your red blood cells with hemoglobin loaded with sugar is determined by the A1C test.

How often is A1C checked?

How recently did you check your HbA1c level? If your blood sugar is in the range of diabetes or pre-diabetes, it is a crucial question to ask yourself. You may determine if your blood sugar levels are improving or worsening over time by looking at the difference in your HbA1c level, which displays your normal blood sugar levels over the last 90 days. This helps you to properly control diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Checking A1C with Diagnosed Diabetes

Monitoring your HbA1c level can help you and your doctor determine how well your current treatment plan is working if you have diabetes. You can observe how decisions you make, such as your food, impact your blood sugar levels by keeping an eye on your HbA1c levels.

• If you’ve achieved and are routinely managing your blood sugar target range, check your A1c readings at least twice a year (every six months) [1].
• If you recently changed your treatment plan, test your A1c levels four times a year to see how well it is working for you.
• If your blood sugar levels aren’t regularly within the blood sugar target range, you should check your HbA1c levels four times a year (every three months) [1].
• If you are pregnant, you may be required to monitor your HbA1c levels considerably more frequently, like once a month [1].
  • There are many causes for this. One factor is that having blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low during pregnancy might be harmful to the newborn child’s health. You can avoid this result by regularly checking your A1c levels [1].

Checking A1C with Pre-diagnosed Diabetes

Pre-diabetes commonly referred to as “borderline diabetes,” describes blood sugar levels that are higher than usual but have not yet moved into the diabetes range. An A1c level indicative of pre-diabetes is between 5.7% and 6.4% [2]. Your chance of developing type 2 diabetes if you have pre-diabetes is up to 15 times higher than it would be for someone with normal blood sugar levels [2]! Therefore, testing your A1c levels regularly is a crucial step you can take to guard your health since pre-diabetes leads you directly on the path of diabetes.

• Check your A1C results more frequently if you are more at risk for diabetes than the average person because of one of the following [3]:
  • You have a cardiac condition that is presently untreated
  • Your body mass index (BMI) is in the obese range (a BMI of 30 or more)
  • You have a history of type 2 diabetes in your family
• Check your A1c level at least once a year on average.
• If you’re actively taking efforts to decrease your blood sugar levels and want to track your progress, testing your HbA1c levels more frequently than twice a year, four times a year, or once every three months might be helpful.

Storing your Results

An app that aids in managing diabetes is a diabetes care tracker. Knowing more about the condition will help you deal with it more efficiently. The tracker enables you to monitor your dietary intake, blood sugar levels, amount of food consumed, and exercise regimen.

Generally, you may discuss the results with your doctor and come up with a plan to track on the same application, whether it be a change in lifestyle or the requirement for more medication.

An all-inclusive care app is the CareClinic app. The App is accessible to everyone. Making a customized care plan is the app’s most crucial function. Other features allow you to create a journal for tracking your blood sugar, keep track of your medications, and read blog posts about particular subjects, depending on your needs. It is the best software to use because of this mix of features.

For simple step-by-step learning, the following subsections in the article will provide thorough descriptions of how to utilize each function. They will also include visual screenshots.

Interpreting A1C Test Results

An A1C result of 5.7% or less is considered normal, 5.7% to 6.4% is considered pre-diabetes, and 6.5% or more is considered diabetes. Your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes increases with your A1C within the pre-diabetes range of 5.7% to 6.4% [4].

• NORMAL – Below 5.7%
• PRE-DIABETES – 5.7% to 6.4%
• DIABETES – 6.5% or above

The same figures (mg/dL) that you typically see on your blood sugar meter can also be used to report your A1C result [4]:

• A1C of 7% = 154 eAG mg/dL
• A1C of 8% = 183 eAG mg/dL
• A1C of 9% = 212 eAG mg/dL
• A1C of 10% = 240 eAG mg/dL

Diary Entries for Diabetes Care

With diary entries, you can publish an infinite number of entries each day. You can log your glucose levels in the journal as notes. It enables you to rapidly record any symptoms you may be feeling so you can later include them in your treatment plan.

A journal is a fantastic tool for keeping tabs on your mental and physical well-being. Diabetes is a chronic condition that needs constant care, therefore it is simple to become upset and feel overburdened. You may also record your values directly in the Measurement Tracker as well with notes.

The premium account has access to 16 journal prompts. You can also add lists, bold, italicize, and underline important statements. You can change the color of the text to highlight your mood. Finally, you can add photos to personalize your diary. They can range from family, friends, or situations, to motivational pictures from the internet, and everything in between.

Using Diabetes Care Plans

Numerous measures are included in each personal care plan.  Including medications and supplements, a diet plan, an exercise schedule, a symptom check, and a measurement check. A symptom check is one aspect that is crucial for tracking diabetes.

You may experience quivering or vertigo if your blood sugar is out of control. You can identify trends to avoid in the future by tracking the downtimes of the day when you have these symptoms. Check-in daily using the app, and don’t worry if you forget since it will provide you with a reminder. The check-in will be connected to an already-created care plan. There are many pre-existing care plans to pick from if you don’t want to make your own.

The A1C Goal

For the majority of diabetic patients, 7% or less is the desired level of the A1C test. Your objective will, however, depend on several factors, including your age and any underlying medical issues [4]. To determine your A1C target, consult with your doctor. Younger people have longer years with diabetes ahead of them, therefore unless they frequently experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), their aim may be lower to lessen the risk of consequences. People with substantial health issues, severe lows, or advanced age may have greater goals [4].

A1C is a crucial tool for treating diabetes, but it doesn’t take the role of routine home blood sugar checks. Throughout the day and night, blood sugar levels fluctuate, which your A1C does not account for [4]. Check your blood sugar more frequently and at various times of the day if you are achieving your A1C goal but experiencing symptoms of highs or lows [4]. Keep tabs on the results and discuss them with your doctor so you may adjust your treatment strategy as necessary [4].

Why do A1C Blood Test Results Vary?

Because your blood glucose level naturally fluctuates, your findings may differ. For instance, whether you eat or exercise, your blood glucose level fluctuates [5]. Your blood glucose test results might also be impacted by illness and stress. A1C tests, however, are less susceptible to short-term variations [5].

An A1C test may not be accurate for diagnosing or monitoring diabetes and pre-diabetes if you are of a certain descent, such as Mediterranean and Southeast Asians, or if you have relatives who have sickle cell anemia [5]. People in these categories may have a hemoglobin variation, or a distinct kind of hemoglobin, which can affect various A1C testing [5]. Most individuals who have a hemoglobin variation don’t experience any symptoms and may not even be aware that they do. When your A1C and blood glucose test results don’t match, medical experts may suspect interference — a falsely high or low result [5].

Blood Glucose Chart for Adults

If your doctor has prescribed medicine to lower your blood sugar or if you need to monitor the effectiveness of your insulin pump CareClinic medication tracking is the place to do it. There are several tracking elements that the tab will request. The order of the dosage components is as follows: dosage amount, dosage type (tablet, liquid, etc.), remaining dosages, refill reminder and start and finish dates.

You can include any notes the doctor has provided as well as a frequent reminder under these prompts. This is helpful for those who must monitor their insulin levels on a frequent basis. With diabetes, keeping track of your medications will help you lead a normal life.

The Role of A1C vs. Routine Blood Sugar Checks

Numerous characteristics can be added to the frequency reminder. Here you can include dose size, reminder time, and the number of days per week you must take the drug. To be reminded when to replace the insulin pump, you may also post a picture of it along with its expiration date.

A1C is a crucial tool for treating diabetes, but it doesn’t take the role of routine home blood sugar checks. Throughout the day and night, blood sugar levels fluctuate, which your A1C does not account for. The A1C can be the same for two persons, one with stable blood sugar levels and the other with high and low fluctuations. Check your blood sugar more frequently and at various times of the day if you are achieving your A1C goal but experiencing symptoms of highs or lows. Keep tabs on the results and discuss them with your doctor so you may adjust your treatment strategy as necessary.

Start keeping track of your diabetes early because it is a chronic condition that you will have to deal with for the rest of your life. You may maintain a long and happy life by monitoring your symptoms, prescriptions, and glucose levels using the CareClinic app and its features. To get started, download the app for iOS or Android today by clicking here.

References

[1] Glycemic targets: standards of medical care in diabetes—2018. (2017). Diabetes Care, 41(Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.2337/dc18-s006

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Nawal Masood

Nawal Masood is a BSc. student, who is a very creative, hands-on learner and is passionate about all things related to community health especially immunology & mental health of children and marginalized communities.

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