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Also known as glychute hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c or HBA1C, the A1C test is essential for diabetic patients.
Although it does not provide a complete status of diabetes management, it serves as an important indicator of whether the average blood sugar level (sugar) level is within a healthy range.
Today we will show you the steps to easily and accurately measure your A1C at home.
We will also look at what the A1C test reveals, why it is important, and how to understand the results.
What is the A1C Test?
The A1C test, a blood test, measures the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months and is reported as a percentage. Usually, people without diabetes have A1c in the range of less than 5.7%.
This test serves as a valuable tool for diagnosing diabetes and assessing the effectiveness of diabetes management strategies.
The ADA provides the following guidelines for using the A1C test in the diagnosis of diabetes during non-pregnancy:
| A1C level | What that means |
| Less than 5.7% | usually |
| 5.7% to 6.4% | This means that you are at increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes |
| Over 6.5% | Diagnostic diabetes (with second results for confirmation) |
The ADA recommends that many people with diabetes aim for A1c below 7%. This corresponds to an average blood glucose level of approximately 154 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L).
For more information: How to convert A1c to blood sugar levels.
While some may target A1C levels that are close to normal range, it is important to avoid excessively aggressive reductions that can lead to dangerous hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia).
It is important to consult with your healthcare provider to personalize your A1C goals, allowing you to tailor them to your health needs and lifestyle as needed.
Why is it important to measure A1c?
Surveillance of A1C is important as elevated blood glucose levels can lead to many short- and long-term diabetic complications. Keeping A1C at a healthy level can help reduce these risks.
If your A1C level begins to exceed your target, several measures can be taken, including adjusting your medication, changing your diet, increasing physical activity, and other lifestyle changes, including guidance from your healthcare provider.
read more: How to Lower A1C: A Complete Guide.
As the A1C test provides a snapshot of the average blood glucose level for the past 2-3 months, we recommend measuring A1C at least quarterly in newly diagnosed individuals and/or those whose glucose levels are consistently above the target range.
This regular surveillance will help you track the effectiveness of your diabetes management strategy.
For those with stable glucose levels within the target, the A1C test may be recommended at least twice a year.
How to use the A1C Home Test Kit
Measuring A1C at home is beneficial for several reasons, including healthcare providers, distance to the lab, or limited access to see the cost of lab work.
There are several great options for home A1C testing at home, but it’s important to consult with your healthcare team before changing your diabetes care or trying to diagnose yourself.
One cost-effective option is the CVS A1C at Home Test Kit shown in the video below. This kit can deliver A1C results on the fly in just 5 minutes.
A1C Home Test Kit General Instructions
The exact steps vary from kit to kit, but the general guidelines are as follows:
- Lay out all the equipment needed in a clean and dry area and prepare the test area.
- Make sure your hands are clean for the procedure. You can wash thoroughly with soap and water to dry thoroughly, or use an alcohol preparation pad to wait for the alcohol to dry out.
- Use a lancet on the side of your fingertips to minimize discomfort (avoid nail pads as they can be more painful).
- Place a blood collector against the blood drops and allow enough blood to absorb as specified by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Attach the painted blood collector to the shaker device and secure it, shake vigorously for about 5-8 seconds to mix the sample and solution.
- Open the test cartridge, insert it into the A1C analyzer, and use the base of the shaker to transfer the solution to the analyzer as directed. When done, remove the base.
- Allows the device to process the results. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Avoid processing the analyzer during this period to ensure accuracy.
- Record A1C results along with dates.
- Dispose of used test cartridges properly and retain the analyzer for future use.
To ensure accuracy, follow the instructions carefully included in the kit and provide enough blood for the test as insufficient samples can lead to errors.
Before you begin testing, consider reading the kit instructions before becoming familiar with the steps. Also, check the kit expiration date and store according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Is the Home A1C Test Kit accurate?
Home A1C test kits are generally considered to be as accurate as those performed at the laboratory. Typically, these kits provide results with accuracy of either plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. This is roughly the same as most standard lab tests.
It is important to choose a kit with NGSP certified (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program) for guaranteed accuracy.
Additionally, search for kits with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearances or carry the Conformite Europe (CE) mark.
The FDA clearance indicates that the product is rated as safe and effective in the US and is considered safe and effective, while the CE mark indicates compliance with health and safety standards within the European economy.
These certifications help ensure that your product meets strict health, safety and environmental standards.
My own experience using the A1CNOW self-check at home, as demonstrated in the video above, perfectly matched the results of a lab test conducted at Quest Diagnostics a few days ago. At least in my case, this confirms the reliability of a home test kit certified in real terms with me.
How much does the A1C test kit cost?
The CVS A1C at Home Test Kit Kit will cost $52.79 on Amazon for a kit that includes two tests as of December 2024. This was the most affordable option I’ve found, but similar home A1C kits on Amazon generally range from $60 to $100. (Kits that include a single test can be as low as about $35.
Home A1C kits are also available at major pharmacies such as CVS and Walmart.
Additionally, there are kits that require blood samples to be collected and sent to the lab. These kits require you to collect more blood (4-5 drops) and, as I have experienced, results may involve a waiting time of up to 4 weeks depending on the speed of communication with the lab.
Is it covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans, including private and government plans, usually cover blood tests that are prescribed by a doctor and performed in the lab.
However, coverage of home A1C test kits is less certain unless the kit is specifically specified by the healthcare provider.
To determine whether your plan covers these at-home kits, you will need to contact your insurance company or see the benefits of the plan. If covered, the insurance company may recommend a preferred brand or specify a process for obtaining the kit.
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