--- title: Hemoglobin A1c Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hemoglobin-a1c" also_known_as: - a1c - hba1c - hemoglobin a1c - glycated hemoglobin - hgb a1c category: Diabetes & Blood Sugar units: - "%" order_price_usd: 21.99 order_item: Hemoglobin A1c order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/hemoglobin-a1c" reviewed_at: 2026-09-06 --- # Hemoglobin A1c > Hemoglobin A1c is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 4.00 – 5.60 %. At TestWell it's $21.99 all-in as Hemoglobin A1c, results in 2–4 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis. Also known as: a1c, hba1c, hemoglobin a1c, glycated hemoglobin, hgb a1c. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | % | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 2–4 business days | | Price | $21.99 | | Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ | ## What does Hemoglobin A1c measure? Your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months. The gold standard for diabetes screening and monitoring. ## What is the normal range for Hemoglobin A1c? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | age 18+ | 4.00 – 5.60 % | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## What does a high Hemoglobin A1c mean? Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood sugar over about three months. 5.7–6.4% is the prediabetes range; 6.5% or higher on two occasions meets the definition of diabetes. Conditions that change red-cell lifespan — iron deficiency, recent blood loss, hemoglobin variants, kidney disease — can push A1c up or down independent of glucose, so a confirmatory test is standard. ### Common causes of high Hemoglobin A1c 1. Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes 2. Type 1 or other forms of diabetes 3. Iron deficiency anemia (raises A1c without raising glucose) 4. Kidney disease, alcohol excess, some hemoglobin variants 5. Medications that raise glucose: glucocorticoids, some antipsychotics ### Symptoms that go with high Hemoglobin A1c - Often none in the prediabetes range - Thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue at higher levels - Slow-healing sores, recurrent infections ### What clinicians usually check next - Confirm with a repeat A1c or fasting glucose (diagnosis needs two abnormal results unless glucose is very high) - Lipid panel, kidney function and urine albumin as part of a metabolic baseline - Ferritin if anemia could be skewing the result - Retest every 3 months while changes are being made; every 6–12 months when stable Follow-up tests at TestWell: [Lipid Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/lipid-panel) ($24.99), [Ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) ($24.99), [Glucose](https://www.test-well.com/tests/glucose-basic) ($14.99). ### Seek care promptly if - A very high A1c with vomiting, abdominal pain, deep rapid breathing or confusion — emergency care (possible ketoacidosis) **What A1c is prediabetes?** 5.7% to 6.4%, per the American Diabetes Association. 6.5% or above, confirmed, is diabetes. **How fast can A1c come down?** It reflects roughly three months of glucose, so meaningful change shows in about 3 months. Retesting sooner mostly shows noise. ## What does a low Hemoglobin A1c mean? A low A1c (below about 4%) is uncommon and usually not a glucose problem. It happens when red cells don't live as long — hemolytic anemia, recent significant blood loss or transfusion, some hemoglobin variants — or with liver disease, pregnancy and high-dose vitamin C or E. In someone on insulin or sulfonylureas, a low A1c can mean frequent hypoglycemia. ### Common causes of low Hemoglobin A1c 1. Shortened red-cell lifespan: hemolysis, recent blood loss, transfusion 2. Hemoglobin variants (some sickle or thalassemia traits) 3. Liver disease, advanced kidney disease 4. Pregnancy (second and third trimester) 5. Over-treatment of diabetes with insulin or sulfonylureas ### Symptoms that go with low Hemoglobin A1c - Usually none from the A1c itself - Episodes of shakiness, sweating, confusion if hypoglycemia is the cause - Fatigue or jaundice if hemolysis is present ### What clinicians usually check next - CBC with reticulocyte count to look at red-cell turnover - Fasting glucose or a glucose meter log if on diabetes medication - Hemoglobin electrophoresis when a variant is suspected Follow-up tests at TestWell: [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) ($21.99), [CBC (Complete Blood Count)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc) ($21.99), [Glucose](https://www.test-well.com/tests/glucose-basic) ($14.99). **Is a low A1c good?** Within the normal range, lower is fine. Below the normal range it's usually a red-cell issue rather than a sign of excellent glucose control, and it makes A1c unreliable — glucose tests are used instead. ## How often should you retest? The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1c at least twice a year when you're meeting goals with stable control, and every 3 months after a therapy change or when you're not at goal. With prediabetes, a yearly A1c is the usual cadence. Because it reflects a ~3-month average, retesting sooner than 8–12 weeks rarely shows a real change. ## How do you get tested for Hemoglobin A1c? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Hemoglobin A1c](https://www.test-well.com/tests/hemoglobin-a1c) | Single test | $21.99 | This marker | | [Diabetes Screening Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/diabetes-screening-panel) | Panel | $59.99 | 3 tests | | [Pre-Diabetes Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/pre-diabetes-panel) | Panel | $89.99 | 5 tests | | [Fatty Liver Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/fatty-liver-panel) | Panel | $92.99 | 6 tests | | [Heart Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/heart-health-panel) | Panel | $99.99 | 5 tests | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $21.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | Yes | $22.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $24.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. | ## Common questions about Hemoglobin A1c ### Do I need a doctor's order to test my hemoglobin a1c? No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor. ### How long does it take to get Hemoglobin A1c results? Most Hemoglobin A1c results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### How much does a Hemoglobin A1c test cost? Our Hemoglobin A1c starts at $21.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. ### Do I need to fast before my Hemoglobin A1c test? Fasting is not required for the Hemoglobin A1c test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day. ### Which lab will process my Hemoglobin A1c test? Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations. ## Sources - [American Diabetes Association](https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/diagnosis) - [American Diabetes Association — Standards of Care in Diabetes 2024, §6 Glycemic Goals](https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-S006) ## Related biomarkers - [Fasting Insulin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/fasting-insulin) - [C-Peptide](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/c-peptide) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hemoglobin-a1c Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.