From the Guidelines
For most adults with diabetes, it's recommended to check A1C levels every 3-6 months, with the frequency depending on the clinical situation, treatment regimen, and clinician's judgment, as stated in the most recent guidelines 1.
Key Considerations
- If diabetes is well-controlled and treatment goals have been met, testing twice a year (every 6 months) may be sufficient.
- More frequent testing every 3 months is advisable for patients who are not meeting their goals, have recently changed medications, or have made significant lifestyle changes.
- Newly diagnosed patients typically need more frequent monitoring until their condition stabilizes.
Importance of A1C Testing
- A1C testing provides valuable information about average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, making it an excellent complement to daily blood glucose monitoring.
- Regular A1C testing is important because maintaining target levels (generally below 7% for most adults, though individual targets may vary) significantly reduces the risk of diabetes complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system.
Clinical Judgment
- The frequency of A1C testing should depend on the clinical situation, the treatment regimen, and the clinician’s judgment, as emphasized in the guidelines 1.
- Point-of-care A1C testing may provide an opportunity for more timely treatment changes during encounters between individuals with diabetes and healthcare professionals.
From the FDA Drug Label
Periodic measurement of HbA1c is recommended for the monitoring of long-term glycemic control.
The frequency of checking A1c is not explicitly stated in the drug label.
From the Research
Frequency of A1C Monitoring
- The American Diabetes Association recommends measuring hemoglobin A1C levels at least semiannually in diabetic patients who have stable glycemic control and quarterly in patients whose therapy has changed or who are not meeting glycemic goals 2.
- A study found that patients who adhered to the American Diabetes Association guidelines on frequency of monitoring A1C had significantly better diabetes control, with a median A1C level of 6.5 compared to 7.3 in non-adherent patients 2.
Association with Diabetes Control
- Adherence to the guidelines was positively associated with diabetes control, and negatively associated with intensity of therapy, but not associated with gender or age 2.
- Other studies have focused on the efficacy and safety of different treatments, such as sitagliptin and pioglitazone, in patients with type 2 diabetes, but do not provide direct evidence on the frequency of A1C monitoring 3, 4, 5, 6.
Treatment and Monitoring
- The decision on how often to check A1C levels may depend on individual patient characteristics, such as the type and severity of diabetes, as well as the patient's response to treatment 2.
- Regular monitoring of A1C levels can help healthcare providers adjust treatment plans and improve diabetes control, but the optimal frequency of monitoring may vary depending on the individual patient 2.