Insight into your long-term blood sugar.
HbA1c gives a picture of your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. A test provides insight into your blood sugar regulation, with personal explanation from our doctors.
Also known as: glycated haemoglobin, long-term blood sugar
Personal assessment by our BIG-registered Bloodworks® doctors
By the Bloodworks editorial team
HbA1c blood test
- Total
- 59,-
Next step: choose your collection point
- No referral needed
- 1000+ collection points
- Results typically within 2 working days
- Every result reviewed by a BIG-registered doctor
Complete blood sugar picture
View Blood sugar
HbA1c shows your average over two to three months. Together with a fasting glucose you also see where your blood sugar stands right now, in a single blood draw.
View package · 49,-How Bloodworks works
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Blood draw
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Securely, typically within 2 working days from our physicians
Background
What is HbA1c?
HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) is a measure of the amount of sugar that has attached to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Because red blood cells live for approximately 120 days, HbA1c gives a reliable picture of average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.
In the Netherlands, HbA1c is expressed in millimoles per mole (mmol/mol). It is, alongside fasting glucose, one of the standard measures for diabetes diagnosis and monitoring of blood sugar regulation according to the NHG guidelines. An advantage over a single glucose measurement is that HbA1c is not influenced by what you ate that morning.
In brief
Long-term
Average over 2 to 3 months
No fasting needed
Independent of food intake
NHG-compliant
Standard diabetes investigation
mmol/mol
Standard unit
This marker is also included in
Testing several values in a single draw takes one blood collection and gives a more complete picture. The choice is yours.
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your HbA1c be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring HbA1c can provide insight.
With excess weight or low physical activity
Excess weight and low physical activity increase the risk of impaired blood sugar regulation. A test gives preventive insight into where you stand right now.
Diabetes in the immediate family
Type 2 diabetes is more common within families. If a parent, brother or sister has diabetes, periodic testing can give insight into your own blood sugar.
After gestational diabetes
Those who have had gestational diabetes have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes later on. Periodic testing shows how blood sugar develops over time.
With complaints that can fit
Increased thirst, frequent urination and fatigue are complaints that can fit with high blood sugar. A test shows whether your average blood sugar could play a role.
Tracking the effect of lifestyle changes
Those who have worked on their diet, physical activity, or weight can see after a few months what effect this has had on their average blood sugar.
Alongside a glucose measurement
Glucose is a snapshot, HbA1c an average over months. Together they give a more complete picture of your blood sugar regulation.
What your result means
HbA1c too high: what does your result mean?
HbA1c is measured in millimoles per mole (mmol/mol). Our doctor interprets your value in line with the NHG guidelines, which distinguish between normal, increased risk, and the diabetes range. Reference values differ between laboratories and methods; the values of the laboratory that performs your test are leading.
A normal value
An HbA1c within the normal range gives a reassuring picture of your blood sugar regulation over the past months. Periodic re-testing may be worthwhile as part of general health monitoring, particularly with a family history or changes in lifestyle.
A borderline value
A slightly elevated HbA1c falls within a range referred to in the NHG guidelines as "increased risk" or "pre-diabetes". This can be a signal to pay attention to lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and weight. Our doctor provides you with explanation and context.
A high value
An HbA1c in the diabetes range almost always requires confirmation through a repeat measurement. Our doctor provides you with explanation of your result and, if you wish, proactively makes contact in the case of significantly elevated values.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors interpret your HbA1c in line with the NHG guidelines for diabetes diagnosis. You receive a report in plain language, as a starting point for your own insight or a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Related tests
Often combined with HbA1c.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine HbA1c with a theme package or related markers.
+ 29,- blood draw fee per orderFree from 225,-
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
What exactly is HbA1c?
HbA1c is haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, to which sugar from the blood has attached. The higher your average blood sugar, the more sugar binds. Because red blood cells live for a few months, HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over roughly two to three months. That is why it is also called long-term blood sugar.
What is the difference between HbA1c and glucose?
Glucose measures your current blood sugar at the moment of the blood draw, a snapshot influenced by what you have recently eaten or done. HbA1c gives an average over the past two to three months and is therefore much more stable. The two tests complement each other: together they show the moment and the trend.
Do I need to fast for an HbA1c test?
No, you do not need to fast for HbA1c. That is precisely the convenience of this test: the result is not influenced by what you have eaten or drunk that day. You can have your blood drawn at any time of day.
How often is re-testing worthwhile?
A single measurement is sufficient for initial insight. Because HbA1c reflects an average over months, the value changes slowly. Re-testing is generally only worthwhile after three to six months, for example to follow the effect of lifestyle changes. Re-testing sooner usually adds little.
Can the result be affected by anaemia or a haemoglobin disorder?
Yes, it can. Conditions that affect the lifespan or structure of red blood cells, such as certain forms of anaemia or an inherited haemoglobin disorder, can make the HbA1c result turn out higher or lower than fits your actual average blood sugar. Our doctor takes this into account in the assessment. Please let us know of any known conditions.
Does an elevated HbA1c mean I have diabetes?
No, an elevated result is not a diagnosis. The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a doctor, often based on a repeat measurement and your complaints and medical history. An elevated HbA1c is, however, a signal to take seriously. Our doctor explains your result and places the value in your personal context.
What can I do myself about an elevated result?
Lifestyle has a major influence on blood sugar regulation. Think of a varied diet with fewer fast sugars, regular physical activity, a healthy weight and sufficient sleep. Because HbA1c changes slowly, the effect of adjustments only becomes measurable after a few months.
Can HbA1c fall faster than in 3 months?
With significant lifestyle changes or medication adjustments, a measurable change is typically not seen until after 8 to 12 weeks, because HbA1c reflects an average over the entire period.
What do I do with my result?
You will receive a PDF report with your value and explanation. What you do with it, such as discussing it with your GP, adjusting your lifestyle, or taking no action, remains entirely your choice.
Can I share my report with my GP?
Yes, the report is written in medical language and contains all relevant laboratory information. Many clients bring it to their GP.
In the Health Guide
Read more about this value
Where do you give blood?
You can give blood at collection points across the Netherlands, usually without an appointment.
Find a collection point near you or read how a blood draw works.
Want to test multiple markers at once?
Combine HbA1c with other markers via Bloodworks Select. The blood draw and collection fee is charged once per order, and is waived from 225,-.
Ready for insight into your blood sugar regulation?
You receive your HbA1c level including personal explanation from a doctor, typically within 2 working days. No referral required.