Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (1 mL)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Long-term glucose tracking - Reveals 2-3 month blood sugar average
- No fasting required - Test anytime, regardless of meals
- Early diabetes detection - Identifies prediabetes before symptoms appear
- Nationwide convenience - 4,500+ certified lab locations available
- Cost savings - Up to 85% less than standard lab prices
- Confidential results - Secure online access without insurance requirements
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults 45+ seeking diabetes screening
- People with family history of diabetes
- Individuals with obesity or metabolic syndrome risk factors
- Those experiencing diabetes symptoms (excessive thirst, frequent urination)
- Diabetic patients needing routine A1C monitoring
- Health-conscious consumers wanting proactive metabolic assessment
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
Visit any lab - Choose from 4,500+ nationwide locations, no appointment needed
Quick blood draw - Simple 1-minute procedure, no fasting preparation required
Get results online - Secure portal access within 3-5 business days
FAQ
What does the A1C test measure? A1C measures the percentage of hemoglobin proteins with attached glucose, reflecting your average blood sugar over 2-3 months.
Do I need to fast before this test? No fasting is required. You can eat normally and test at any time of day.
How accurate is this test? The test demonstrates 99% correlation with laboratory reference methods and uses NGSP-certified methodology for clinical accuracy.
What's considered a normal A1C level? Normal is below 5.7%, prediabetes is 5.7-6.4%, and diabetes is 6.5% or higher according to ADA guidelines.
How often should I get tested? Every 3 years if normal, annually for prediabetes, and every 3-6 months for diabetes management.
Can other conditions affect my results? Yes, anemia, recent blood transfusions, certain hemoglobin variants, and kidney disease may impact results.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Cardio IQ Hemoglobin A1C test measures average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months by determining the percentage of hemoglobin proteins that have glucose attached. This test serves three primary purposes: diagnosing diabetes (≥6.5%), identifying prediabetes (5.7-6.4%), and monitoring long-term glycemic control in diabetic patients (ADA Standards of Care 2024).
Unlike daily glucose monitoring that shows point-in-time values, A1C reflects sustained glucose control because glucose binds to hemoglobin throughout the 8-12 week lifespan of red blood cells. The American Diabetes Association recommends biannual A1C testing for patients with stable glycemia and quarterly testing for those with poor glucose control (Mayo Clinic 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for adults ≥45 years and younger individuals with diabetes risk factors including obesity, family history, hypertension, or metabolic syndrome (ADA 2024). The CDC reports that 15.8% of US adults have diabetes with 22.8% remaining undiagnosed, representing approximately 8.7 million people unaware of their condition (CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report 2024).
Health-conscious consumers seeking proactive metabolic health management benefit from the test's convenience and direct-access model. Walk-In Lab's approach eliminates physician visit requirements and insurance pre-authorization delays while providing up to 85% cost savings over standard laboratory charges (Walk-In Lab Benefits).
When should I order Cardio IQ Hemoglobin A1C Blood Test?
Order this test for initial diabetes screening, when experiencing symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss, or for routine monitoring if diabetic. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for adults aged 35-70 with overweight/obesity (USPSTF 2021).
The test's convenience allows testing without fasting preparation at any time of day, making it ideal for busy schedules. Additionally, 34.5% of US adults have prediabetes, but only 15.3% have been informed by healthcare providers, indicating massive underdiagnosis in the 98 million affected individuals (CDC 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
HbA1c: Below 5.7%
- What it means: Normal glucose metabolism
- Typical action: Retest every 3 years
HbA1c: 5.7% – 6.4%
- What it means: Prediabetes
- Typical action: Annual testing, lifestyle changes
HbA1c: 6.5% or higher
- What it means: Diabetes
- Typical action: Medical evaluation, treatment plan
HbA1c: Above 7%
- What it means: Poor diabetes control
- Typical action: Treatment adjustment needed
Each 1% reduction in A1C levels decreases long-term diabetes complications risk by up to 40%.
Results include estimated average glucose (eAG) conversion - for example, 7% A1C equals 154 mg/dL average glucose (ADA Patient Education 2024). Federal regulations allow ±6% variation in results, so an 8% A1C could range from 7.52-8.48%.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for A1C testing, allowing normal eating and drinking before sample collection. Unlike glucose tolerance tests, A1C is unaffected by recent meals, stress, exercise, or medications (NIDDK 2025).
However, inform healthcare providers of conditions that may affect results including anemia, recent blood transfusions, iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic kidney disease, or certain hemoglobin variants like sickle cell disease. High alcohol consumption and pregnancy may also influence A1C levels.
How often should I get tested?
- Normal results (A1C < 5.7%): Suggested interval: Every 3 years
- Prediabetes (A1C 5.7–6.4%): Suggested interval: Every 12 months
- Well-controlled diabetes: Suggested interval: Every 6 months
- Poor diabetes control: Suggested interval: Every 3 months
- Recent treatment changes: Suggested interval: Every 3 months
The ADA recommends more frequent testing during treatment adjustments or when glycemic targets are not met. For adults ≥45 years with normal results, screening every 3 years is sufficient unless risk factors develop (ADA Standards 2024).
Why early detection matters
Early diabetes screening reduces mortality by 20% and cardiovascular disease by 16%, with intensive A1C control saving $900 per patient over lifetime while extending life by 6 months (ADDITION Study 2025). Regular A1C testing prevents up to 90% of diabetes-related blindness through early detection.
Prediabetes detection enables intervention to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes through lifestyle modifications including weight management, 150 minutes weekly moderate exercise, and balanced nutrition with limited refined carbohydrates. Research demonstrates that diabetes complications affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system, making early detection crucial for preventing irreversible damage.
Related tests you may consider
Cardio IQ® Insulin Resistance Panel with Score Blood Test - Gives you information to change or avoid becoming diabetic or prediabetic.
Glucose Plasma Test - Measures blood sugar levels to help diagnose and monitor diabetes.
Glucose Tolerance (GTT) Blood Test, 2-Hour (Oral WHO Protocol) - Checks how your body handles sugar over two hours by measuring blood sugar after drinking a sugary drink, helping doctors find or manage diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes.
