Which test is used to assess long-term glucose control by measuring glycosylated hemoglobin?

• A. Radiography
• B. HbA1C test
• C. CT scan
• D. Magnetic resonance imaging

Answer: (B)

Long-term glucose control is reflected by measuring how much glucose has attached to hemoglobin over time. The HbA1c test provides this by reporting the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin. Since red blood cells live about 120 days, the HbA1c result represents average blood glucose over roughly the past two to three months, making it the standard way to monitor diabetes management. It’s different from a snapshot test like a finger-stick glucose reading, which shows current levels. Normal HbA1c in people without diabetes is typically under about 5.7%; many adults with diabetes aim for an HbA1c below 7%, though targets are personalized. The other tests—radiography, CT scan, and MRI—are imaging tools that visualize anatomy and pathology, not measures of blood glucose control.