My Cart 0 items: $0.00

Glycosylated Hemoglobin

Glycosylated Hemoglobin

Alternate Names

  • GHb
  • hemoglobin-glycosylated
  • diabetic control index
  • HbAlc
  • glycohemoglobin
  • A-1-C


Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying part of the red blood cells. This blood test measures a special kind of hemoglobin that has been coated with glucose, the main sugar in the body. It is called glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C, or HbA1C.

Who is a candidate for the test?

Normally, this test is done only on people with diabetes. It is often done at least once or twice a year to see if the diabetes is being controlled. However, many physicians recommend this test every three months.

How is the test performed?

Home test kits that can be done with a fingerstick and test strips that are sent to a lab will be available soon. There are also home monitors that measure fructosamine, which is the glycosylation of different blood proteins. Sometimes called the glycoprotein test, this measures control of diabetes over about a 2-week period of time.

What is involved in preparation for the test?

No preparation is needed for this test.

What do the test results mean?

The normal range for HbA1C is usually about 4% to 6% in people without diabetes. The goal for people with diabetes is a level of 7% or less of HbA1C. If HbA1C is higher than that, the healthcare provider will often make adjustments in the person's diabetes treatment plan.

« Back