What is Normal HbA1c?

Effective management of diabetes is crucial for maintaining long-term health and preventing complications. It involves careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, adherence to a balanced diet, and regular physical activity.

Central to this management is the understanding of HbA1C levels, a key indicator of blood sugar control over a time interval. HbA1C provides a comprehensive picture of average blood sugar levels, making it essential to diabetes management.

Here’s an in-depth guide to what is normal HbA1c is and how factors like age affect it.

What is HbA1c?

Haemoglobin A1c, commonly known as HbA1c, is an important biomarker used in the medical field, particularly for monitoring and diagnosing diabetes.

HbA1c is a form of haemoglobin that is chemically linked to glucose. The HbA1c levels in a person’s blood give an indication of their average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. This parameter is essential because it provides a longer-term trend, unlike daily fluctuations seen with regular blood glucose monitoring.

What is the HbA1c test?

The HbA1c test measures the amount of blood glucose, or sugar, attached to haemoglobin. HbA1c is also known as “glycated haemoglobin”, which is a medical term that refers to the red blood cells (RBCs) becoming loaded up with excess sugar.

When sugar circulates in the bloodstream, like after a meal, it tends to stick to the haemoglobin molecules. Being inherently sticky, the sugar can attach to the haemoglobin for up to 3 months, which is the usual lifespan of RBCs.

Over time, as more sugar accumulates in the bloodstream, the more RBCs get covered. If the blood cells don’t use this sugar and convert it to energy, the sugar molecules will stay attached until the cell dies. This behaviour of cells is known as insulin resistance, which is the key cause behind type 2 diabetes.

What is the normal range of HbA1c?

When it comes to HbA1c levels, what constitutes as normal depends on the diabetic status. For non-diabetics, the average HbA1c is typically less than 36 mmol/mol (5.5%). In contrast, for those with diabetes, an ideal level is generally 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or lower.

Adults with HbA1c levels between 36 and 48 mmol/mol are in a state often referred to as ‘pre-diabetes’, and are at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

It’s crucial to understand that HbA1c targets are not one-size-fits-all. Plenty of factors affect an individual’s HbA1c levels, most importantly age.

What is normal HbA1c by Age?

As an individual gets older, their HbA1c levels naturally increase, regardless of whether they have diabetes or not. There’s no one clear reason why it gets harder to maintain lower levels of Hb1Ac as we age. Doctors surmise that it could be multiple factors, including everything from race to lifestyle.

Here is the HbA1c normal range chart by age:

 Is HbA1c different from Blood Glucose?

HbA1c does allow one to check their blood glucose. However, the HbA1c test differs from the standard finger-prick test.

Most importantly, a standard finger-prick test provides the blood glucose level when an individual conducts the test and is provided in mmol/L. In essence, it provides a snapshot of the blood glucose. One must carry it out regularly to keep their blood glucose in check.

On the other hand, HbA1c provides the average blood glucose level over the last three months. The result is provided in mmol/mol. This provides a zoomed-out view of the blood glucose trends over time, providing doctors with a better understanding of how a person is managing their diabetes and if any changes to management or medication are required.

However, since RBCs are involved in HbA1c tests, certain medical conditions like anaemia can affect the results. If someone has a family history of diabetes, it’s important to consult their doctor and schedule regular HbA1c tests to keep an eye on their blood sugar level.

FAQs

1. What is the acceptable range for HbA1c?

For people without diabetes, the haemoglobin A1c normal range lies between 4% and 5.5%. Anything value above 5.7% and below 6.4% is considered to be the pre-diabetic stage and with a higher chance of developing diabetes. An HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.

2. Is a HbA1c of 7.5 normal?

No, the HbA1c level of 7.5 is a little high. An individual should target an HbA1c value that is less than 6.5. A 7.5 may be an indication of diabetes. It is important to consult the doctor for further tests immediately.

3. What is the full form of HbA1c?

HbA1c stands for haemoglobin A1c, which also means glycated haemoglobin.