Which value indicates poor control if an A1c level is higher than it?

In the context of diabetes management, the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test provides an average blood glucose level over the previous 2 to 3 months. A higher A1c level suggests poorer glucose control. The recognized target for good glycemic control in many adult patients with diabetes is generally an A1c level below 7.0%.

When evaluating A1c results, values above this target indicate worsening glucose control. Therefore, among the choices, an A1c level of 8.0% is definitively higher than the target of 7.0%, signaling poor control over blood glucose levels, thus making it a significant indicator of inadequate management of diabetes.

Other values, such as 6.5% and the lower end option 7.0%, are either on the cusp of or within the acceptable range for glycemic control, while 9.0% also indicates poor control but is notably higher than 8.0%, which might raise additional concerns. The critical understanding is that a higher A1c reflects less effective diabetes management, and 8.0% clearly surpasses the widely accepted threshold for good control.