HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) Testing

Because red blood cells live for roughly three months, the amount of sugar attached to them reflects your average blood glucose over that same window. This makes HbA1c far more telling than a single point-of-care glucose reading, which only captures a moment in time.

The test itself is a simple blood sample, drawn during a routine venipuncture in our Los Angeles practice or at a coordinated lab. You do not need to fast, and results are typically available within a day or two, which we review together to interpret what your number means for you.

One of the conveniences of this test is that no special preparation is required — unlike a fasting glucose test, you can eat and drink normally beforehand. It can be drawn at any time of day, often alongside other routine labs such as a lipid panel or complete metabolic panel.

If you are already managing diabetes, bring an up-to-date list of your medications so we can discuss your results in the full context of your care.

Once results are in, we review your number together and discuss what it reveals about your blood sugar control. A normal result is reassuring, while an elevated reading guides next steps — from lifestyle modifications to medication.

For patients managing diabetes, HbA1c is usually rechecked every three to six months to confirm that your treatment plan — whether oral medications or other therapy — is keeping you on target. When more specialized care is helpful, we coordinate with endocrinology, including through Cedars-Sinai.