Understanding A1C and how it translates to actual mean blood glucose levels is important for diabetes management.
What are estimated average glucose levels?
Estimated mean blood glucose (EAG) usually represents the average blood glucose over a period of time, reflecting the time frame of A1c.
Using this simple EAG/A1C conversion chart from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), you can instantly translate your latest A1C results into EAG results that are easier to understand.
A1c Toco Cart
| A1c | Eco (mg/dl) | Eco (mmol/l) |
| 5% | 97 | 5.4 |
| 6% | 126 | 7.0 |
| 7% | 154 | 8.6 |
| 8% | 183 | 10.2 |
| 9% | 212 | 11.8 |
| 10% | 240 | 13.4 |
| 11% | 269 | 14.9 |
| 12% | 298 | 16.5 |
In general, the ADA recommends:
- Fasting blood glucose levels of 80-130 mg/dl (4.4-7.2 mmol/L)
- Blood glucose level (10.0 mmol/l) 1-2 hours after meals below 180 mg/dl
- A1c is less than 7.0% in people with diabetes.
Convert A1C to blood sugar levels
For example, looking at the results of A1C of 8.0%, some believe that glucose levels are consistently within the target range. However, from an average blood glucose perspective, we may take a deeper look at what 8.0% A1c actually translates and reveal another story.
8.0% A1c corresponds to approximately 183 mg/dL (10.1 mmol/L) of EAG. This average is significantly higher than most nonpregnant adults’ recommended ADA targets, with A1c below 154 mg/dL (less than 8.6 mmol/L) or below 7.0%.
The inconsistency between instantaneous glucose measurements and the 3-month average reflected in A1C is surprising, highlighting the importance of understanding both measures in diabetes management.
By converting A1C to EAG, you can get a clearer image of overall glycemic control beyond what your daily measurements show. This additional perspective will help you make informed adjustments to your diabetes care plan.
Determine your own A1C and EAG goals
In an ideal world, the A1CS will all be magical 5.0. However, managing diabetes can be difficult.
This means determining the appropriate A1C goal youyour body, and your life as a person with diabetes, is a very personal decision that you and your medical team must work together to decide.
For example, those with no history of hypoglycemia (irrelevant to detect early signs of hypoglycemia) may find 6.0% of target A1Cs to be too dangerous.
For example, if you sleep with blood glucose levels below 120 mg/dL, you will find yourself at a higher risk of blood glucose.
For those running blood glucose levels above 240 mg/dL, it is a gradual reduction in blood glucose levels with the help of a healthcare team.
This means their A1Cs will be targeted higher than “normal”.
Whatever your blood sugar level is, you should work with your health team and review and adjust regularly as needed to reflect changing health, lifestyle, or diabetes management needs.
For more information on setting and achieving realistic A1C goals, you can watch this video where diabetes founder Christel Oerum explains how to follow five simple steps to keep A1C in target range.
How often do I need to take the A1C test?
If you live with diabetes, your healthcare provider may order two to four times a year and two to four times a year for the A1C test, depending on factors such as blood glucose level and the frequency of severe hypoglycemia (hyperglycemia) or hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia).
Home Learn about the A1c test: How to measure A1C at home.
