Blood Sugar & Metabolism
HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)
Blood Sugar & Metabolism
3-month average blood sugar. Gold standard for diabetes screening and monitoring.
VAT-exempt medical service
HbA1c measures the proportion of haemoglobin in your red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. Because red blood cells live for around three months, the value reflects blood glucose across that whole period rather than at the moment of testing. That makes HbA1c less sensitive to what you ate or how you slept the day before. No fasting is required.
A normal fasting glucose does not rule out blood glucose having been raised over a longer period, and HbA1c captures that slower change. It is used to detect pre-diabetes and diabetes, and to follow treatment in people who already have diabetes. It is particularly relevant if diabetes runs in your family, if you carry extra weight, or if you want to see the effect of changes to diet and exercise.
What a high value can mean
A raised HbA1c means blood glucose has averaged higher than normal. In Sweden, 42–47 mmol/mol indicates increased risk (pre-diabetes), and 48 mmol/mol or above on two occasions indicates diabetes. Common causes are insulin resistance, excess weight, low physical activity and certain medicines such as corticosteroids. Long-term raised blood glucose increases the risk of disease affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves, which is why it is worth detecting early.
What a low value can mean
A low HbA1c usually means blood glucose has been well controlled. Unusually low values can, however, reflect conditions that shorten the lifespan of red blood cells, such as haemolytic anaemia, bleeding or a recent blood transfusion. In iron deficiency and in kidney or liver disease the value can be misleading. An unexpectedly low result should be interpreted alongside a full blood count.
No fasting is required for HbA1c. If it is taken at the same time as fasting glucose or blood lipids, fast for at least ten hours. Bring valid ID to your appointment.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
A value below 42 mmol/mol is normal. Between 42 and 47 mmol/mol indicates an increased risk of developing diabetes. At 48 mmol/mol or above, confirmed by a repeat test, diabetes is diagnosed. Your result states the laboratory's reference interval.
In diabetes, HbA1c is usually checked every three to six months according to your doctor's plan. If you have risk factors but no diagnosis, once a year is usually enough.
In pre-diabetes, regular physical activity, fewer fast-acting carbohydrates and less added sugar, weight loss and better sleep can lower the value over time. In diabetes, your doctor decides whether medication is needed. Never change prescribed treatment on your own.
A blood glucose value shows the moment of testing and is affected by meals, sleep and stress. HbA1c reflects an average across two to three months and therefore varies less from day to day.