How to Calculate A1c
An A1c test result indicates your average blood sugar level for the past 120 days. While the test is primarily for diabetics, anyone can have an A1c test performed. The lower the A1c, the lower your average blood sugar number. Higher A1c results put you at greater risk for developing serious health complications. You need laboratory results or an at-home testing kit to find out your A1c, which is the percentage of the hemoglobin in your blood that is bonded to sugar.
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Instructions
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Schedule an appointment with your doctor for an A1c blood test. Some physicians' offices have A1c testing machines on-site, so you can find out your results during your appointment; others send your blood work out to a laboratory or write you an order to take to an outside lab. In general, in-office blood work takes just a few drops of blood (similar to a blood glucose test), while sending blood work to a laboratory requires a blood draw from a vein.
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Purchase an at-home A1c testing kit. With these kits you may need to mail a blood sample to a laboratory, though some models give you results in just a few minutes. Health insurance rarely covers at-home testing; as of 2009, A1c testing kits cost around $25 and can be purchased at all major pharmacies, including those online. When choosing an at-home testing kit, consult the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program to see which models adhere to suggested standards.
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Estimate your A1c by consulting your blood glucose logs and calculating your average blood sugar level over the last three to four months. The more often you have tested, the more accurate your average will be. Then use the American Diabetes Association's calculator to convert that average number into an A1c. Be aware that this number is a very rough estimate because your blood sugar readings represent specific moments in time, whereas your A1c represents your overall average blood sugar over a number of months.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also convert your A1c to an estimated average blood glucose level with the American Diabetes Association's calculator.
If you have never had your A1c calculated before, meet with your doctor, who can help you interpret the results and help you make changes to your lifestyle if necessary.
