HbA1c Test: Glycated Haemoglobin and Diabetes Monitoring

Category: Science & Health

  • HbA1c stands for glycated haemoglobin.
  • It measures the percentage of haemoglobin that has glucose attached to it.
  • It provides an indication of average blood glucose levels over roughly the previous 2–3 months.
  • Unlike a single blood-glucose test, HbA1c reflects longer-term glycaemic control.
  • It is widely used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes.
  • Red blood-cell lifespan and certain conditions affecting haemoglobin can influence HbA1c results.
  • UPSC Focus: Diabetes, haemoglobin, blood glucose, diagnostic tests.