How often should the hemoglobin A1c test be performed?

How often should the hemoglobin A1c test be performed?

Anne Peters, MD, FACP, CDE (Professor and Director of Clinical Diabetes Programs, USC Keck School of Medicine) gives expert video advice on: What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?; When should I get emergency care if I have diabetes?; Why should I should I have my urine checked if I have diabetes? and more...

The haemoglobin A1c test is a test of the average blood sugar level over about 3 months, and that 3 months is actually the life span of a red blood cell. That's how long we're testing. It's basically how much glucose is attached to red blood cells. So, if you're on insulin, or your diabetes is changing, we recommend that you have a haemoglobin A1c test every 3 months. If someone is on pills and their diabetes is really stable, then they probably should only do the haemoglobin A1c test every 6 months. However, I really recommend every 3 months for most people with diabetes to have a haemoglobin A1c test. A lot of us, if we say we are going to do something every 3 months, end up doing it every 6 months anyway. So, I think it's a very important number and one that people really need to be aware of and follow closely in monitoring their diabetes.