hemoglobin A1c

noun

: a stable glycoprotein formed when glucose binds to hemoglobin A in the blood

Blood sugar was assessed by measuring the amount of hemoglobin A1c in the participants' blood, a test that looks for hemoglobin with sugar attached to it.

—Gina Kolata

also : a test that measures the level of hemoglobin A1c in the blood as a means of determining the average blood sugar concentrations for the preceding two to three months

Note: Both the glycoprotein and the test are also called A1c, glycated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, HA1c, and HbA1c.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Measuring blood glucose levels expanded to include hemoglobin A1c levels, which measures a person's blood sugar levels over the previous three months, according to the CDC. —Megan Marples, CNN, 29 June 2022

The crucial blood test doctors use, however, to monitor diabetes for people with Type 2 disease is called hemoglobin A1c, which measures average blood glucose levels over long periods of time. —NBC News, 13 Mar. 2021

After the hike, my hemoglobin A1c dropped to within the normal range. —Outside Online, 14 Oct. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hemoglobin A1c

noun

-ˌā-ˌwən-ˈsē

: a stable glycoprotein formed when glucose binds to hemoglobin A in the blood

Blood sugar was assessed by measuring the amount of hemoglobin A1c in the participants' blood, a test that looks for hemoglobin with sugar attached to it.

—Gina Kolata

also : a test that measures the level of hemoglobin A1c in the blood as a means of determining the average blood sugar concentrations for the preceding two to three months

called also A1c, glycated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, HA1c, HbA1c