A1C Importance and Benefits

Importance of A1C levels

Clinical studies have been performed in people with type 1 diabetes and in those with type 2 diabetes. These studies have found that intensive blood glucose management can lower A1C levels and reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications.1-3

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) evaluated the benefit of intensive blood glucose management on health outcomes in people with type 1 diabetes.1 The UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) was a similar study in people with type 2 diabetes.2 The goal of both studies was to maintain participants' blood glucose as close to normal levels as possible.1,2 The studies found intensive blood glucose management lowered A1C levels to 7%, on average.1,2

Intensive blood glucose management also substantially lowered the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease, eye problems, kidney disease, and nerve damage.1,2 These important studies changed diabetes management forever, demonstrating the health benefits of controlling blood glucose levels and the negative health impact of not controlling blood glucose.1,2 In fact, a 1% reduction in A1C has been shown to lower the risk of many diabetes complications by 40%.3 So lowering your A1C, and keeping it low, can help you stay healthy.

A 1% reduction in A1C can lower the risk of many diabetes complications by 40%.3

Benefits of A1C Testing

Testing A1C regularly, along with daily blood glucose monitoring provides a complete picture of blood glucose control.4 Knowing your levels allows you to identify any problems and take action to maintain your health.

People with good blood glucose control should check their A1C at least every 6 months.4 Individuals with poorly controlled blood glucose should test their A1C more often.4 Achieving an A1C below 7% means keeping your pre-meal blood glucose below 8 mmol/L — and testing your blood glucose frequently.4

If your A1C level is above 7%, it is important to talk to your diabetes team to determine the reasons and develop a plan to lower it.4 Working with your diabetes team will allow you to develop the right plan for you, usually including the following:

  1. Implementing an appropriate meal plan
  2. Participating in regular physical activity
  3. Taking diabetes medications as prescribed
  4. Testing your blood glucose frequently
  5. Monitoring your A1C and your progress towards your goal

Achieving your target blood glucose and A1C values can help you stay healthy and reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications.

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Note: Any condition that shortens the life of red blood cells, like certain genetic hemoglobin diseases, clinically significant blood loss, and some types of anemia, can falsely lower A1C results.5

References:

  1. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effects of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med 1993;329:977–86.
  2. UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group. Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylurea or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). Lancet 1998;352:837–53.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2007. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008.
  4. The ABCs of hemoglobin A1C testing. Diabetes Monitor 1/6/2010. Available at http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/b59.htm. Accessed November 18, 2010.
  5. Factors that interfere with HbA1c test results. Available at http://www.ngsp.org/factors.asp. Accessed March 15, 2011.