A1C is an abbreviated name for the hemoglobin A1C test. The test measures the average level of blood sugar, also known as glucose, in a person’s blood over an approximate period of 90 days. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all of the body's organs and tissues (Eyth & Naik, 2023).  When a hemoglobin becomes coated with sugar, it is a glycated hemoglobin and the red blood cell is no longer able to perform optimally. The red blood cell has a lifecycle of approximately three months (Alila Medical Media, 2019).​​ As red blood cells die, new ones form.

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Generally blood sugar or a glucose level at 5.7 is prediabetes and 6.5 is diabetes (Mayo Clinic, n.d.-a). The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin, which drives glucose into the blood cells. Inside of the blood cells, glucose is converted to energy. When this process is unable to keep up with the demand to convert sugar into energy, sugar builds up in the blood causing higher than normal blood sugar levels. People who have type 1 diabetes have a pancreas that does not make insulin or their pancreas makes hardly any insulin (Mayo Clinic, n.d.-b). People who have type 2 diabetes have a pancreas that can produce insulin.

 

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References:

Alila Medical Media. (2019, Mar 25)​. A1c test for diabetes, animation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIyMmg5e2qI Link​

Eyth & Naik (2023). Hemoglobin A1C. (Updated 2023 Mar 13). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls​. Link​​

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-a). Prediabetes: Diagnosis & treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355284#:~:text=Below%205.7%25%20is%20normal,two%20separate%20tests%20indicates%20diabetes Link

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-b). Type 1 diabetes: Overview. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011