Q:What are the blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c goals for diabetes management?
A: To stay healthy and complications-free with diabetes for years to come control your blood glucose levels day to day and over the years. If your blood glucose levels aren't under control, work with your health care provider and diabetes educator to get and keep them under control
Today two organizations provide blood glucose goals—American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (ACE). Find these below. Note that ACE recommends a more aggressive after meal blood glucose level.
ADA* | ACE | ||
| Fasting and before meals | 70 - 130 | 110 | |
| 1 to 2 hours after start of meals | 180 or less | 140 or less |
Hemoglobin A1c, or simply A1c, is the blood test to check your average blood glucose control over the last 8 to 12 weeks. This is not just an average of when you check it, but all the ups and downs 24 hours a day. Have this test done 2 to 4 times a year. The closer your A1c is to these goals, the greater the chance of preventing and/or delaying diabetes complications.
*Reference: American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/reprint/31/Supplement_1/S12)
ADA* | ACE | ||
| Goal | 7% or less (average ~150) | 6.5% or less (average ~135) |