What is Hemoglobin A1c?
Hemoglobin A1c is a blood test that measures glucose (sugar) in your blood over a 3-month period. It is used to check your blood sugar control. Having good blood sugar (and blood pressure) control helps slow the rate of kidney disease if you have a kidney problem. Not all people with diabetes have kidney problems!
If you have protein in your urine—even in microscopic amounts—you may have early kidney disease. Protein is a large molecule that does not fit through the filters of healthy kidneys. If you have protein (albumin) in your urine, it may mean that you have a kidney problem. The good news is, there are treatments to help protect your kidneys. To learn more about protein, go to the Measuring Albumin Topic.