1. What is HbA1c?

HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) reflects average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It's measured in mmol/mol (millimoles per mole) or % (percentage). This calculator converts between mmol/mol and estimated average glucose in mmol/L (millimoles per liter).

2. How Does the Conversion Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Explanation: This formula provides an estimated average glucose level based on the HbA1c value, accounting for the relationship between glycated hemoglobin and blood glucose concentrations.

3. Importance of HbA1c to Glucose Conversion

Details: Converting HbA1c to estimated average glucose helps patients and healthcare providers understand the results in more familiar glucose units, facilitating diabetes management and treatment decisions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the HbA1c value in mmol/mol. The calculator will provide the corresponding estimated average glucose in mmol/L. Valid input values are positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert HbA1c to glucose?
A: It helps patients understand their HbA1c results in terms of average blood glucose levels they're more familiar with from daily monitoring.

Q2: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion provides an estimate. Individual variations in glycation rates mean actual average glucose may differ slightly.

Q3: What's the difference between mmol/mol and %?
A: mmol/mol is the newer IFCC standard (1% ≈ 10.93 mmol/mol). Most countries now use mmol/mol for HbA1c reporting.

Q4: Can I use this for diagnosis?
A: This calculator provides estimates only. Diagnosis of diabetes should be made by a healthcare professional using appropriate tests.

Q5: What are normal HbA1c values?
A: Normal is typically <42 mmol/mol (<6.0%), prediabetes 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%), and diabetes ≥48 mmol/mol (≥6.5%).