US Medical Term · tests
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Hemoglobina glucosilada A1c
Also: Hemoglobina A1c (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) |
| Spanish (Español) | Hemoglobina glucosilada A1c |
| Chinese (中文) | 糖化血色素 |
| Korean (한국어) | 당화혈색소 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Xét nghiệm hemoglobin A1c |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Hemoglobin A1c |
| Portuguese (Português) | Hemoglobina glicada A1c |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจฮีโมโกลบิน A1c |
| Japanese (日本語) | ヘモグロビンA1c |
What it means
The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. Sugar in the blood sticks to hemoglobin inside red blood cells, and because those cells live about three months, the test captures a long-term picture rather than a single-day snapshot. A small blood sample is drawn from a vein or sometimes a finger-prick. No fasting is required. Doctors use HbA1c to diagnose diabetes (a result of 6.5% or higher) and to check whether people already living with diabetes are managing their blood sugar well. A result below 5.7% is considered normal.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
What is an A1c test and why does my doctor check it every three months?
¿Qué es la prueba de A1c y por qué mi médico la revisa cada tres meses?
Do I need to fast before my hemoglobin A1c blood test?
¿Necesito ayunar antes de la prueba de hemoglobina A1c?
My A1c is 7.2% — what does that number mean for my diabetes?
Mi A1c es 7.2% — ¿qué significa ese número para mi diabetes?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026