Master Hemoglobin A1c Lab Value with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Glycosylated hemoglobin, A1c, (HbA1c) is a test that measures how much glucose permanently attaches to a specific area of the hemoglobin molecule. The A1c test is a commonly used blood test to measure blood glucose control over the past 2-3 months and monitor diabetes control. It measures what percentage of your hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) is coated with sugar (glycated). The amount of hemoglobin that is glycated depends on the blood glucose level. Because glucose binds to a variety of proteins (including hemoglobin) through a process called glycosylation, the higher the blood glucose level is over time, the more glycosylated hemoglobin becomes. The red blood cell remains glycated for the life of the cell (approximately 120 days). Therefore, the A1c test provides a measurement of glycemic control over the previous 2-3 months, with increases in the A1c reflecting elevated blood glucose levels or poor control of blood sugar.