{"id":11018511,"date":"2026-06-17T09:22:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T09:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labtest.nl\/?post_type=biomarker&p=11018511"},"modified":"2026-08-18T13:25:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:25:48","slug":"hba1c","status":"publish","type":"biomarker","link":"https:\/\/labtest.nl\/en\/biomarker\/hba1c\/","title":{"rendered":"HbA1c"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is HbA1c?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HbA1c is a blood marker that shows your average blood sugar (glucose) level over the past two to three months. It is also referred to as your \u2018average blood sugar\u2019. HbA1c stands for \u2018glycated haemoglobin\u2019. Haemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. When glucose is present in your blood, some of it attaches to haemoglobin. By measuring how much glucose is attached, your doctor can estimate how high your average blood sugar has been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does HbA1c say about your health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your HbA1c level provides an indication of how well your blood sugar is controlled. A higher value means that your blood sugar has been elevated more often during the past few months. This may indicate diabetes or an increased risk of developing diabetes. Persistently high HbA1c levels can eventually contribute to damage to blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. A normal or low value generally indicates that your blood sugar is well controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does HbA1c differ from a regular blood sugar measurement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A regular blood sugar measurement shows how much glucose is in your blood at that particular moment. For example, it may be higher after a meal and lower in the morning. HbA1c, on the other hand, reflects an average over a longer period of approximately two to three months. This provides a better picture of your usual blood sugar levels rather than a single measurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which factors can affect HbA1c?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several factors can affect your HbA1c level. These include your diet, how much you exercise, the medications you take and whether you have recently been ill. Other health conditions, such as anaemia or certain abnormalities affecting red blood cells, can also influence the result. Your doctor will therefore consider the overall picture rather than looking at your HbA1c level alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can diet affect HbA1c?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, what you eat can have a significant effect on your HbA1c level. Foods containing a lot of sugar or rapidly absorbed carbohydrates, such as white bread, soft drinks and sweets, can cause your blood sugar to rise quickly. A healthy diet containing plenty of fibre, vegetables and wholegrain products and limited amounts of added sugar can help keep your blood sugar more stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can exercise affect HbA1c?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Exercise can help lower your blood sugar. When you exercise regularly, for example by walking, cycling or playing sports, your body uses more glucose from the blood for energy. This can help lower your HbA1c level. Regular physical activity is therefore an important part of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How often is HbA1c measured?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In people with diabetes, HbA1c is usually measured every three to six months. How often it is measured depends on how stable your blood sugar levels are and your doctor’s advice. If you do not have diabetes, HbA1c is usually only measured<\/a> when there is a reason to do so, for example if you have an increased risk of diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you support healthy blood sugar levels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can support healthy blood sugar levels by eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and wholegrain products and limited amounts of added sugar, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking. It is also important to take any prescribed medication as directed. Always discuss with your doctor what is most appropriate for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If your symptoms persist or you are concerned, always contact your doctor.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"biomarker_category":[579],"biomarker_material":[],"class_list":["post-11018511","biomarker","type-biomarker","status-publish","hentry","biomarker_category-glucose-metabolism"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHbA1c: Blood sugar, diet, influencing factors and health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Everything about HbA1c. Discover your blood sugar levels, influencing factors and test yourself at home with the Blood Sugar Test. 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