What is the A1C test?
The A1C is a simple blood test. It measures your child’s average blood sugar level over a period of 2 to 3 months. This shows how well your child's blood sugar is controlled. The better your child's blood sugar is controlled, the less likely they will have complications from diabetes. Your child may have other tests such as fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance test, or random blood glucose test. But these tests only show blood sugar levels at that moment. They don't show how well your child's blood sugar is controlled over time.
The A1C test measures the amount of glucose that sticks to a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is in red blood cells. The more glucose stuck to the red blood cells, the higher your child’s average blood sugar has been over time.
An A1C result is given as a percentage. Most people without diabetes have an A1C level of 5.7% or lower.
Your child’s target A1C number
Your child’s health care provider will tell you what your child’s target A1C number should be. It will depend on your child's age, overall health, and other factors. The A1C goal for children and teens is less than 7.5%. Your child will likely need an A1C test every 3 months. You will still need to check your child's blood sugar several times a day. Tell the provider if the daily blood sugar results don't match the A1C result. Certain diseases, conditions, or medicines may tend to either raise or lower the A1C on their own. This can make the management of blood sugar more challenging.
Where to learn more
For more information about diabetes, visit these websites:
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Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) www.breakthrought1d.org
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Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists www.adces.org
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American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists www.aace.com
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National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
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