Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
This test measures the average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months, helping doctors assess long-term diabetes control.
["HbA1c reflects your blood sugar trends over time, aiding diabetes management."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105689-4
- Short code
- CANDDH
- Synonyms
- C. duobushaemul DNA Spec Ql NAA+probe
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container without preservative; serum separator tube (SST) or red-top tube acceptable for serum specimen. For other specimen types, use appropriate sterile transport container per laboratory guidelines.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- probe-amp-tar
- CPT
- 87798
- SNOMED
- 122451005
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of serum; minimum 0.5 mL required for testing
- Stability
- Serum: Room temperature 24 hours; refrigerated (2-8°C) up to 7 days; frozen (-70°C or below) up to 6 months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What HbA1c Measures
HbA1c represents the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that are glycated (attached to sugar). It reflects your average blood glucose levels over the past few months, as red blood cells live about 3–4 months. This test is a key indicator of how well your diabetes is managed over time.
Why It’s Done
Doctors order HbA1c tests to monitor diabetes progression, assess treatment effectiveness, and detect prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes. It’s often used alongside other tests like fasting blood glucose or random blood sugar checks.
How It Works
Blood is drawn from a vein, and the sample is analyzed using HPLC to separate and measure the proportion of hemoglobin bound to sugar. The result is expressed as a percentage of total hemoglobin.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed, but you may want to avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) for 4–8 hours before the test if instructed by your provider. Wear comfortable clothing for easy vein access.
Reference range
Negative (Not Detected) for Candida duobushaemulonii DNA. Positive results indicate the presence of Candida duobushaemulonii DNA in the specimen.N/A
No special patient preparation is required prior to specimen collection. Inform the laboratory of any recent antifungal therapy, as this may affect test interpretation.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
HbA1c is critical for diabetes management because it provides a snapshot of blood sugar control that isn’t affected by short-term fluctuations. A higher HbA1c (typically ≥6.5%) suggests poor control and may prompt adjustments to medication, diet, or lifestyle. It’s also used to diagnose prediabetes (5.7–6.4%) or type 2 diabetes.
Short name
HbA1c
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get an HbA1c test?
What do my HbA1c results mean?
Can lifestyle changes affect my HbA1c?
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 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy