By Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD

How to Check A1C Without a Doctor Visit

If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, one of the most important ways to understand your progress is by keeping track of your A1C levels. Your A1C indicates your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months, providing a clearer picture than a single daily reading.

In the past, you’d typically need to visit a clinic to get this test done. However, today you don’t necessarily have to schedule an appointment. Modern at-home A1C testing kits have made it easier to check your levels privately and conveniently.

Here, we’ll walk you through how A1C works, how to use an at-home A1C test accurately, what your results mean, and when it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider.

What Does the A1C Test Measure?

The A1C test (also called HbA1c) measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. Instead of showing what your glucose is at a single moment, like a regular finger-prick test, A1C reflects your overall blood sugar trends over time.

Here’s how it works: glucose travels through your bloodstream and naturally attaches to your red blood cells. Since red blood cells live for about 3 months, the A1C test shows how much sugar has been attached to them during that period.

So, when you test your A1C, your result represents the big picture of your blood sugar control and not just what happened today or after one meal.

A1C Ranges and What They Mean

Your A1C result is shown as a percentage. The percentage reflects how much glucose has attached to your red blood cells over the last 2 to 3 months. The higher the percentage, the higher your average blood sugar has been.

General Goals

Many adults with diabetes aim for an A1C below 7%, but your personal target may be higher or lower depending on your healthcare provider’s guidance, age, medications, or other health conditions.

Steps to Check A1C Without a Doctor Visit

Checking your A1C at home is straightforward when using a certified at-home A1C test kit. These kits are designed to include everything you need for safe and simple sample collection.

1. Get a Certified At-Home A1C Test Kit

Choose a kit that is CLIA-certified or NGSP-aligned, meaning the results are processed by labs that meet federal accuracy standards.

2. Register Your Kit Online

Some kits require a quick registration so your sample is linked to your secure results dashboard. Everlywell test kits, for instance, allow you to do this by simply scanning the QR code on the box.

3. Collect Your Sample at Home

Everything you need will be in the kit — typically:

• Lancet (finger-prick tool)
• Alcohol pad
• Gauze and bandage
• Blood collection cassette or card
• Sample bag

Wash and dry your hands, use the lancet to prick your fingertip, and place the blood sample in the collection cassette/card as instructed. Kits like Everlywell HBA1C also include step-by-step instructions and an optional video, which helps if you’re new to at-home testing.

4. Send Your Sample for Analysis (If Your Kit Uses Lab Processing)

Place the sample in the collection bag and return it using the prepaid shipping label included in the box.

5. Wait for Your Results

Your sample is tested in a CLIA-certified laboratory, which has the same standards used in clinical settings. Results are usually available in a few days and can be viewed privately online, with the option to download or print.

When A1C Results May Not Be Accurate

For most people, the A1C test is a reliable way to understand long-term blood sugar trends. However, some health conditions can affect how red blood cells form or break down, and this can make the result appear higher or lower than it really is.

Examples include:

• Some types of anemia
• Kidney or liver conditions
• Certain inherited blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia)
• Recent significant blood loss or a blood transfusion
• Pregnancy
• Some medications

If any of these apply to you, your healthcare provider may recommend an additional way to track your blood sugar or may interpret the results slightly differently.

The point is that if you have any medical conditions or medications that affect your blood or red blood cells, it’s worth mentioning them to your healthcare provider so your A1C can be interpreted accurately.

Understanding Your Results: What to Do Next

Your A1C number simply tells you how your blood sugar has been trending over the past few months, so you know what to maintain or adjust.

Here’s how to think about your result:

• If your A1C is in a healthy range: This means your current routine is supporting stable blood sugar. Continue doing what’s working and periodically check your A1C levels to ensure they stay on track.
• If your A1C is in the prediabetes range: This is a sign that your blood sugar has been running higher than ideal, but there is still room to make meaningful improvement. Consistent steps like adjusting meal balance, adding regular movement, improving sleep, and managing stress may help bring your numbers down over time. Your healthcare provider can help you plan the next steps if needed.
• If your A1C is in the diabetes range: This result means your average blood sugar has been high for a while. Managing diabetes often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. A healthcare professional can help you understand what adjustments may support better control moving forward.

Take Charge of Your A1C Right From Home

Checking your A1C doesn’t have to involve appointments or waiting rooms. With an at-home A1C test kit, you can collect your sample on your own schedule and receive clear, physician-reviewed results online. This makes it easier to stay aware of your long-term blood sugar trends, understand what’s working, and make adjustments as needed.

Everlywell offers an at-home A1C test that includes everything you need for simple collection and prepaid shipping to a CLIA-certified lab. Your results are delivered privately to your secure account, along with guidance to help you interpret them.

Learn more about the Everlywell A1C Test Kit today.