What Is A1c?

You know how important it is to check your blood sugar daily and keep track of changes; it is also important to regularly have your hemoglobin A1c checked as well. Hemoglobin A1c is often referred to as HbA1c, or simply as A1c.

Every few months, your doctor will perform an A1c test, which measures your A1c. A1c is a compound created in your body when excess blood sugar sticks to a protein in your red blood cells called hemoglobin (Hb). The higher your blood sugar, the higher your A1c value.

A1c is formed over time, so the A1c test results give you a picture of your average blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months. This should give you and your doctor a good idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.

In people without diabetes, a normal A1c value is somewhere between 3.5% and 5.5%. People with diabetes have higher A1c values because their bodies have difficulty managing their blood sugar levels. So a healthy goal for most people with diabetes is under 7.0% (or the goal agreed upon by you and your doctor).

Managing A1c With Starlix

Watching your diet, getting plenty of exercise and taking your medications are the primary ways to reach your A1c goal. Adding Starlix to your treatment plan can help: By acting on your mealtime blood sugar spikes when you eat, Starlix helps you stabilize your blood sugar levels over time and can help you reach your A1c goal.