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What is HbA1c and how is it used to measure diabetes?⁠4,26

A HbA1c or A1c test is used by doctors and healthcare professionals to measure your average blood sugar level over the last 2-3 months. The test result is used to diagnose, monitor, and manage treatment decisions for diabetes.

HbA1c is measured as a percentage (%).

Why is HbA1c important?4

In general, a higher HbA1c indicates a higher risk of long-term diabetes complications. If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor will check your HbA1c levels to decide on the best treatment plan for you, and help you set a target to lower your HbA1c.

What is considered a normal HbA1c range?⁠3

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest a healthy A1c is 5.7 percent and below

Non-diabetes

A healthy HbA1c is below 5.7%

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest A1c between 5.7 to 6.4 percent means you develop a risk of developing diabetes.

Prediabetes

HbA1c between 5.7-6.4% indicates prediabetes. This means you are at risk of developing diabetes

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest A1c above 6.5 percent or above indicates diabetes.

Diabetes

HbA1c of 6.5% or above indicates diabetes

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest that A1c of 5.9 percent in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy may mean you are at higher risk for gestational diabetes if you do not have diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

If you do not have diabetes, HbA1c of 5.9% in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy may mean you are at higher risk for gestational diabetes.

HbA1c on its own does not tell the full story

HbA1c does not give a full picture of your blood sugar levels. It does not account for the ups and downs of your blood sugar within a day or show patterns in your blood sugar over time. HbA1c also can't tell you whether you experience hypoglycemia. Gaining insight into what's affecting your blood sugar can help customize a diabetes management plan suited to your individual needs and routine.

Time in Range (TIR) is increasingly being used to assess blood sugar in combination with HbA1c. TIR is a measurement of how much of the day your blood sugar spends within your target range. It is measured as a percentage (%).3 The higher the TIR, the better the glucose control.

People can have similar HbA1c but different TIR⁠4

People can have similar HbA1c but different TIR People can have similar HbA1c but different TIR

Every 10% increase in TIR can lower HbA1c by 0.5-0.8%⁠24

What is recommended Time In Range (TIR) if I have diabetes?⁠4

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest recommended TIR for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes is at least 70 percent of the day, between 70-180 mg per dL is suggested.

Type 1 & type 2

At least 70% of the day: 3.9 - 10 mmol/L

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest recommended TIR for high-risk Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes or older is at least 50 percent of the day, between 70-180 mg per dL is suggested.

Older or high-risk type 1 & type 2

At least 50% of the day: 3.9 - 10 mmol/L

Icon highlighting that guidelines suggest recommended TIR for Type 1 Diabetes during pregnancy is at least 70 percent of the day, between 63-140 mg per dL is suggested.

Type 1 during pregnancy

At least 70% of the day: 3.5 - 7.8 mmol/L

FreeStyle Libre can help you increase your Time in Range (TIR) and reduce HbA1c⁠11,27

TIR

An example reader showing the Time In Target a patient had in the last 7/14/30/90 days

FreeStyle libre can show you the Time In Target you had in the last 7/14/30/90 days.

Using FreeStyle Libre can improve Time in Range by 43 percent

Type 1 or type 2

Patients who scanned more frequently had 43% higher TIR*11

HbA1c

HbA1c reduced by 0.53 percent on average, after 12-16 weeks using FreeStyle Libre for Type 1 diabetes management

Type 1

HbA1c reduced by 0.53% on average, after 12-16 weeks using FreeStyle Libre†27

HbA1c reduced by 1.1 percent on average, after 22 weeks using FreeStyle Libre for Type 2 diabetes management

Type 2

HbA1c reduced by 1.1% on average, after 22 weeks using FreeStyle Libre^27

*Comparing 2 groups from lowest to highest scan rate (3.6 and 39.5 scans/day), p=0.001.
p<0.0001 vs. baseline
^in people using basal insulin, p<0.001 vs. baseline

References: 3. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2020;43(1):S77–S88. 4. Battelino T, et al. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593–1603. 11. Evans M, et al Diabetes Ther. 2020;11(1):83–95. 24. Vigersky RA, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(2):8–-85. 26. Wagner J, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2005:7(4):612–9. 27. Wright E, et al. Diabetes Spectrum. 2021;34(2):184–189.

Disclaimers - 1. Images are for illustration purpose only. No actual patient data. Any person depicted in the photos is a model. Children shall not use without supervision. 2. The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor's advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.

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