Regular Hemoglobin A1c testing can help you track your blood sugar levels over time to see if they stay close to normal or go up and down. If your blood sugar levels are too high or too low, work with your health care provider to change your treatment plan and reach your target level of control. The Hemoglobin A1c goal for people with diabetes is less than 7 percent. A change in treatment is almost always needed if your Hemoglobin A1c is over 8 percent. But, if you can lower your Hemoglobin A1c number by any amount, you will improve your chances of staying healthy.
Research shows that few people can tell their blood sugar levels simply by how they feel.
Testing your blood sugar is the only way to know for sure whether you are reaching your blood sugar goals. Diabetes is a serious disease that causes the sugar in your blood to build up in your body. This buildup of sugar can cause you to go blind, suffer a heart attack, lose your feet or legs to amputations, stop your kidneys from working, and even kill you. There is no cure for diabetes, but there is a lot you can do to control it. For example, you can see your health care provider more often.