Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with Mass Concentration Measurement (Goal Monitoring)
This test measures your long-term average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months, helping your healthcare team assess and adjust your diabetes management plan.
["HbA1c tracks your blood sugar control over time to guide treatment decisions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 86912-3
- Short code
- Hgb goal mCnc Bld
- Synonyms
- Hgb goal mCnc Bld
- Category
- hematology
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 12
- Ref high
- 17.5
- Critical range
- 7 N/A – 20 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 85018
- SNOMED
- 900000000000003004
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why HbA1c Matters for Diabetes Management
HbA1c reflects the percentage of your red blood cells coated with hemoglobin that has been linked to glucose (sugar) over time. It’s a key indicator of how well your diabetes is controlled, even on days when blood sugar levels might be hard to track with daily checks.
How HbA1c Helps Your Doctor
Your doctor uses HbA1c to determine if your current diabetes treatment—like medication, diet, or insulin—is keeping your blood sugar within a safe range. It’s also used to adjust goals if needed, especially for conditions like prediabetes or long-term diabetes management.
What HbA1c Doesn’t Show
HbA1c doesn’t measure your blood sugar levels at a single moment in time (that’s what daily glucose monitors do). It also doesn’t account for short-term spikes or drops, so it’s best used alongside other health metrics for a full picture.
How Often Is This Test Done?
HbA1c is typically checked every 3–6 months for people with diabetes to monitor progress. Your doctor may recommend more frequent tests if you’re adjusting treatments or managing complications.
Reference range
Adult males: 13.5-17.5 g/dL; Females: 12.0-16.0 g/dLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: HbA1c in Diabetes Care
Short name
HbA1c Goal Monitoring
Frequently asked questions
What does an elevated HbA1c mean?
How does HbA1c differ from a random blood sugar test?
Can HbA1c be affected by other health conditions?
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