1

2

Taking control of your diabetes can help you feel

better and stay healthy. Research shows that keeping

your blood glucose (blood sugar) close to normal

reduces your chances of having eye, kidney, and nerve

problems. To control your diabetes, you need to know

your blood glucose numbers and your target goals.

There are two different tests to measure

your blood glucose.

The A1C test (pronounced A-one-C)

reflects your average blood glucose level

over the last 3 months. It is the best

way to know your overall blood glucose

control during this period of time. This

test used to be called hemoglobin A-1-C

or H-b-A-1-C.

The blood glucose test you do

yourself uses a drop of blood and 

a meter that measures the level of

glucose in your blood at the time 

you do the test. This is called selfmonitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

If you 

have diabetes... 

know your 

blood sugar numbers!

You and your health care team need to use both

the A1C and SMBG tests to get a complete

picture of your blood glucose control.

1-800-438-5383

www.ndep.nih.gov 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Diabetes

Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.

NIH Publication No. 98-4350 Revised July 2005

What is the A1C test?

The A1C test is a simple lab test that reflects your average

blood glucose level over the last 3 months. A small blood

sample to check your A1C can be taken at any time of

the day.

Why should I have an A1C test?

The A1C test is the best test for you and your health care

team to know how well your treatment plan is working

over time. The test shows if your blood glucose levels

have been close to normal or too high. The higher the

amount of glucose in your blood, the higher your A1C

result will be. A high A1C result will increase your

chances for serious health problems.

What is a good A1C goal?

You and your health care team should discuss the A1C

goal that is right for you. For most people with diabetes,

the A1C goal is less than 7. An A1C higher than 7 means

that you have a greater chance of eye disease, kidney

disease, or nerve damage. Lowering your A1C—by any

amount— can improve your chances of staying healthy.

If your number is 7 or

more, or above your goal,

ask your health care team

about changing your

treatment plan to bring

your A1C number down.

If I am pregnant, what is my A1C goal?

Keeping your A1C less than 6 if you are pregnant will

help ensure a healthy baby. If possible, women should

plan ahead and work to get their A1C below 6 before

getting pregnant.

How often do I need an A1C test?

Ask for an A1C test at least twice a year. Get the test more

often if your blood glucose stays too high or if your

treatment plan changes.

What about home testing for A1C?

You and your health care team should decide if home

testing is a good idea for you. If so, be sure to do the test

the correct way and discuss the results with your doctor.

The A1C Test

The Best Measure of 

Long-Term Diabetes Control

Level of A1C

Control Number

Normal 6 or less

Goal less than 7

Take action 7 or more
1

2

Taking control of your diabetes can help you feel

better and stay healthy. Research shows that keeping

your blood glucose (blood sugar) close to normal

reduces your chances of having eye, kidney, and nerve

problems. To control your diabetes, you need to know

your blood glucose numbers and your target goals.

There are two different tests to measure

your blood glucose.

The A1C test (pronounced A-one-C)

reflects your average blood glucose level

over the last 3 months. It is the best

way to know your overall blood glucose

control during this period of time. This

test used to be called hemoglobin A-1-C

or H-b-A-1-C.

The blood glucose test you do

yourself uses a drop of blood and 

a meter that measures the level of

glucose in your blood at the time 

you do the test. This is called selfmonitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

If you 

have diabetes... 

know your 

blood sugar numbers!

You and your health care team need to use both

the A1C and SMBG tests to get a complete

picture of your blood glucose control.

1-800-438-5383

www.ndep.nih.gov 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Diabetes

Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.

NIH Publication No. 98-4350 Revised July 2005

What is the A1C test?

The A1C test is a simple lab test that reflects your average

blood glucose level over the last 3 months. A small blood

sample to check your A1C can be taken at any time of

the day.

Why should I have an A1C test?

The A1C test is the best test for you and your health care

team to know how well your treatment plan is working

over time. The test shows if your blood glucose levels

have been close to normal or too high. The higher the

amount of glucose in your blood, the higher your A1C

result will be. A high A1C result will increase your

chances for serious health problems.

What is a good A1C goal?

You and your health care team should discuss the A1C

goal that is right for you. For most people with diabetes,

the A1C goal is less than 7. An A1C higher than 7 means

that you have a greater chance of eye disease, kidney

disease, or nerve damage. Lowering your A1C—by any

amount— can improve your chances of staying healthy.

If your number is 7 or

more, or above your goal,

ask your health care team

about changing your

treatment plan to bring

your A1C number down.

If I am pregnant, what is my A1C goal?

Keeping your A1C less than 6 if you are pregnant will

help ensure a healthy baby. If possible, women should

plan ahead and work to get their A1C below 6 before

getting pregnant.

How often do I need an A1C test?

Ask for an A1C test at least twice a year. Get the test more

often if your blood glucose stays too high or if your

treatment plan changes.

What about home testing for A1C?

You and your health care team should decide if home

testing is a good idea for you. If so, be sure to do the test

the correct way and discuss the results with your doctor.

The A1C Test

The Best Measure of 

Long-Term Diabetes Control

Level of A1C

Control Number

Normal 6 or less

Goal less than 7

Take action 7 or more