Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with Immunoassay Method, 24-Hour Fluid Collection
This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months, helping your healthcare provider assess long-term diabetes management.
["HbA1c tracks how well your blood sugar is controlled over time, aiding diabetes care plans."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105785-0
- Short code
- OXA23BC
- Synonyms
- blaOXA-23 Ct Bld Pos Qn NAA+probe
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Sterile blood culture bottle (e.g., BACTEC, BacT/ALERT) or molecular-grade sterile container with transport medium
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- probe-amp-tar
- CPT
- 87556
- SNOMED
- 43792000
- Specimen volume
- Collected via standard blood culture bottle volume (typically 8-10 mL per bottle for adults); sub-cultured organism or broth from positive blood culture used for molecular testing
- Stability
- Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours; refrigerate at 2-8°C if testing is delayed beyond 24 hours (up to 72 hours). Follow manufacturer's instructions for specific NAA platform.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 1–8 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
HbA1c reflects the percentage of hemoglobin molecules coated with sugar (glycated hemoglobin). It’s a key indicator of how consistently your blood sugar has been within target ranges over months, rather than just recent levels.
Why It’s Done
Doctors order HbA1c tests to diagnose diabetes, monitor existing diabetes, or check for prediabetes. It’s especially useful for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, as it provides a broader picture than daily blood sugar checks alone.
How It’s Performed
A small blood sample is taken from your arm, typically during a routine visit. For 24-hour HbA1c, a special fluid collection kit may be provided to gather urine over 24 hours (though this variant is less common for standard HbA1c).
What the Results Mean
Results are reported as a percentage (e.g., 5.7%–6.4% may indicate prediabetes; 6.5% or higher suggests diabetes). While ranges vary by lab, higher values generally mean poorer blood sugar control, while lower values may indicate better management.
Reference range
Not Applicable; results reported as Detected (Positive), Not Detected (Negative), or as a Cycle Threshold (Ct) value when positiveN/A
No special patient preparation required. Sample is collected as part of positive blood culture workup after organism identification or Gram stain suggests Acinetobacter species.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
HbA1c (Blood Sugar Control)
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get an HbA1c test?
What does an abnormal HbA1c result mean?
Can HbA1c be affected by factors like pregnancy or illness?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy