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Home > Knowledge & support > Managing type 1 diabetes > Managing blood glucose levels > What is HbA1c?
HbA1c stands for glycated haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen around your body. When it meets the glucose in your blood it becomes glycated. This lets your clinic see what your blood glucose levels have been over a period of weeks and months. Because of this, it’s different from the glucose checks you do every day.
Your Diabetes Healthcare Team will arrange for you to have a blood test around the time of your regular check-up to measure your HbA1c.
Your Diabetes Healthcare Team should test your HbA1c levels every three to six months.
HbA1c is measured in mmol/mol. Your Diabetes Healthcare Team will set your target HbA1c level based on your own personal needs, but in general the recommended target is 6.5% (48mmol/mol).
If your HbA1c is too high, it can increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes complications. This is why it’s regularly checked, so you can address any issues and work on lowering your HbA1c.
If your HbA1c levels are higher than the target set by you and your Diabetes Healthcare Team, there are things you can do:
If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, maintaining an Hba1C below 6.5% (48mmol/mol) is recommended. Find out more about type 1 diabetes and pregnancy.
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