23/07/2025
🩸 The HbA1c Test: How It Transformed Diabetes Care
Today, the HbA1c test is a routine part of managing diabetes — but its journey began over 50 years ago.
🔬 A Key Discovery in 1968
In 1968, Dr. Samuel Rahbar, a medical researcher, discovered that people with diabetes had higher levels of a certain type of hemoglobin — now known as HbA1c.
This form of hemoglobin is created when glucose (sugar) attaches to red blood cells. Over time, doctors learned that HbA1c could reflect a person’s average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
💡 A Major Breakthrough
Before this test, doctors relied only on daily blood sugar readings, which could vary a lot. The HbA1c test gave a clearer, longer-term picture — helping doctors and patients manage diabetes more effectively.
🏥 From Labs to Clinics
By the 1980s, HbA1c testing became more common in clinics to monitor diabetes.
And in 2010, it was officially recommended as a tool to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes.
✅ Why the HbA1c Test Matters
No need to fast
Shows blood sugar control over months
Helps guide long-term treatment
Useful for both diagnosis and follow-up
What began as a lab discovery is now a lifesaving tool used worldwide.
The HbA1c test is a perfect example of how science can lead to better, simpler healthcare.
