What is a normal blood HbA1c level?
What is haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)?
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that measures your average blood glucose (sugar) level over the past two to three months. It is used a way of diagnosing diabetes and monitoring its control.
What is normal haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)?
Normal HbA1c = 20-42 mmol/mol (or 4-6%).
HbA1c in prediabetes and diabetes
- Prediabetes is diagnosed if your HbA1c = 42-47 mmol/L (6-6.5%)
- Diabetes is diagnosed if your HbA1c = 48 mmol/mol or over (>6.5%).
HbA1C mmol/mol and %
Confusingly HbA1c comes in 2 different units (% is the older unit). These are the equivalent values.
42 mmol/mol = 6.0% = prediabetes
48 = 6.5 = diabetes
53 = 7
59 = 7.5
64 = 8
75 = 9.
Diabetes UK has a converter to convert HbA1c from mmol/mol to %, and vice versa.
Monitoring of DM in adults (target HbA1c)
If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below.
Summary
We have explained what is a normal blood HbA1c level; and how the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes is made. We hope it has been helpful.
