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Biomarkers · Chemical

Hemoglobin A1c

A hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is a blood test that shows your average level of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past two to three months.

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Test, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Also listed as
glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, a1c, hba1c
Primary unit
%
LOINC codes
4548-4
Tests that measure Hemoglobin A1c
Labcorp 13, Quest Diagnostics 10

Ranges

Compare the reference ranges labs publish with guideline targets, diagnostic cut-offs, study-based ranges and practitioner targets. Move across the rows to check a value against each range, and open a source from the legend. How to read these ranges

Hemoglobin A1c, %

LabsStudy-basedMany nonpregnant adults with diabetesHealthy older adultsOlder adults with complex healthPregnancy
Cut-offs
  • Lab reference ranges7 labs
  • Study-based range5.0–5.5
  • ADA goalsbelow 6.0–8.0
  • Diagnostic cut-offs3 cut-offs
All 15 published ranges, with sources

Lab reference ranges

Diagnostic cut-offs

Guideline targets

Study-based ranges

  • Selvin, NEJM 2010 (ARIC): reference band 5.0 to below 5.55 to 5.5 %

    Adults without diabetes or cardiovascular disease, 11,092 in ARIC

    The band is the study's reference category: coronary risk rose above it and was similar below it, death was higher below 5.0%, and diabetes risk was lower below 5.0%.

    Against 5.0 to below 5.5%, coronary heart disease risk was 1.23 times at 5.5 to below 6.0% and not lower below 5.0% (0.96); all-cause death was J-shaped, higher below 5.0%.

    Glycated hemoglobin, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk in nondiabetic adults, New England Journal of Medicine, 2010

Tests

Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Hemoglobin A1c. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.

Labcorp 13 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c 001453

    Blood · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    Roche Tina Quant
    Collection
    The usual precautions in the collection of venipuncture samples should be observed. The sample must be free of clots. Samples with any hematocrit disorders can lead to erroneous results. Send the entire tube to the laboratory.
    Reference notes
    • Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c: 4.8% to 5.6% • Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4% • Diabetes: ≥6.5% • Glycemic control for adults with diabetes: <7.0%
    Labcorp catalog page

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Diabetes Risk–Asymptomatic Adults 090400

    2 analytes · Plasma · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    A1c: Roche Tina-Quant Hemoglobin A1c which is NGSP certified and standardized to the DCCT reference assay. Plasma glucose: enzymatic
    Preparation
    A1c: None FPG: Blood should be drawn in the morning after an overnight fast (no caloric intake for at least eight hours), during which time the individual may consume water.
    Collection
    Hemoglobin A1c: The usual precautions in the collection of venipuncture samples should be observed. The sample must be free of clots. Samples with any hematocrit disorders can lead to erroneous results. Send the entire tube to the laboratory. FPG: Label specimen as plasma. Mix well.
    Reference notes
    Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c (%) Fasting Plasma Glucose mg/dL Diabetes | >6.4 | >125 Prediabetes | 5.7–6.4 | 100–125 Glycemic Control for Adults with Diabetes | <7.0 | N/A Normal | 4.8–5.6 | 70–99 For selected individual patients, providers might reasonably suggest even lower A1c goals than the general goal of <7%, if this can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia or other adverse effects of treatment. Such patients might include those with short duration of diabetes, long life expectancy, and no significant CVD. Conversely, less‐stringent A1c goals than the general goal of <7% may be appropriate for patients with a history of severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, advanced microvascular or macrovascular complications, and extensive comorbid conditions and those with long-standing diabetes in whom the general goal is difficult to attain.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • GlycoMark® and Hb A1c 502226

    2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 10 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Roche Tina Quant; enzymatic
    Collection
    Serum or plasma must be separated from cells within 45 minutes of venipuncture. Send serum or plasma in a plastic transport tube.
    Reference notes
    GlycoMark®: • <18 years: Not established • Adult male: 10.7−32.0 μg/mL • Adult female: 6.8−29.3 μg/mL • Glycemic control goal for diabetic patients: >10 Hb A1c (percent): • Normal: <5.7% • Increased risk for diabetes: 5.7% to 6.4% • Ongoing hyperglycemia: >6.4%
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c With eAG 102525

    2 analytes · Blood · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    Roche Tina Quant
    Collection
    The usual precautions in the collection of venipuncture samples should be observed. The sample must be free of clots. Samples with any hematocrit disorders can lead to erroneous results. Send the entire tube to the laboratory.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c With GlycoMark® Reflex 503205

    3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 10 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual assays. GlycoMark® is a registered trademark of GlycoMark Inc, New York, NY.
    Collection
    Separate serum or plasma from cells within one hour of collection. Ship in plastic transport tube.
    Reference notes
    GlycoMark®: • <18 years: Not established • Adult males: 10.7−32.0 μg/mL • Adult females: 6.8−29.3 μg/mL • Glycemic control goal for diabetic patients: >10 Hemoglobin A1c (percent): • Normal: <5.7 • Increased risk for diabetes: 5.7−6.4 • Ongoing hyperglycemia: >6.4 • Estimated average glucose: − Glycemic control for adults with diabetes: <7.0 (ADA) Note: If A1c results are between 6.0 and 8.0 (including 6.0 and 8.0), GlycoMark® testing is performed. GlycoMark® reflects postprandial glucose spikes from the previous two weeks, whereas A1c reflects average glycemic control during the previous three months.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Weight Management Follow-Up Profile 311959

    7 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual test components.
    Labcorp catalog page

Quest Diagnostics 10 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Cardio IQ® Hemoglobin A1c 91732

    Blood · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Sun-Fri

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay
    Reference notes
    <5.7 %
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Hemoglobin A1c 496

    Blood · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Fri (Night shift); Report available: 4 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay
    Reference notes
    <5.7 %
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Hemoglobin A1c with Reflex to 1,5-Anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) 10380

    Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay
    Reference notes
    <5.7 %
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Hemoglobin A1c with Calculated Mean Plasma Glucose (MPG) 8181

    2 analytes · Blood · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Fri (Night shift); Report available: 4 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay
    Reference notes
    <5.7 %
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Hemoglobin A1c with eAG 16802

    3 analytes · Blood · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Fri; Report available: 4 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay
    Reference notes
    <5.7 %
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Diabetes and ASCVD Risk Panel with Scores 92062

    7 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay • Spectrophotometry (SP)
    Preparation
    If a cholesterol measurement is to be performed along with triglycerides, but not part of a lipid panel, then the patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to collection. If the cholesterol is ordered as part of a lipid panel, then a fasting sample is not required. The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours.
    Collection
    For risk calculations to be performed, the following patient-specific information must be provided at the time of order: Age: Years Gender: M (for male) or F (for female) Race - African American: Y (for yes) or N (for no) Systolic Blood Pressure: mmHg Treatment for High B.P.: Y (for yes) or N (for no) Diabetes Status: Y (for yes) or N (for no) Smoking Status: Y (for yes) or N (for no)
    Reference notes
    See individual tests
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Diabetes Risk Panel with Score 92027

    7 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay • Spectrophotometry (SP)
    Preparation
    If a cholesterol measurement is to be performed along with triglycerides, but not part of a lipid panel, then the patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to collection. If the cholesterol is ordered as part of a lipid panel, then a fasting sample is not required. The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours.
    Collection
    For risk calculations to be performed, the following patient-specific information must be provided at the time of order: Age: Years Gender: M (for male) or F (for female)
    Reference notes
    See individual tests
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Diabetes Risk Panel without Score 91920

    8 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual tests
    Preparation
    If a cholesterol measurement is to be performed along with triglycerides, but not part of a lipid panel, then the patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to collection. If the cholesterol is ordered as part of a lipid panel, then a fasting sample is not required. The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours.
    Reference notes
    See individual tests
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

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Goals and conditions

We link Hemoglobin A1c to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.

Sources

Verify these ranges and sources

We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.

Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.

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