How often should you check your A1c?

A1c testing frequency isn't the same for everyone — it depends on your diagnosis status, how stable your control is, and whether your treatment has recently changed.

If you don't have diabetes or prediabetes

Routine screening is typically only recommended starting around age 35, or earlier if you have risk factors like a family history, higher body weight, or a history of gestational diabetes. For most people without risk factors, annual testing isn't necessary.

If you have prediabetes

Retesting roughly once a year is common, so you and your clinician can track whether lifestyle changes are moving your numbers in the right direction.

If you have diabetes and your control is stable

Every 6 months is a typical interval once your A1c has been consistently at target and your treatment hasn't changed.

If your treatment recently changed, or you're not yet at target

Every 3 months is more common in this situation, since it gives enough time for A1c to reflect the change (red blood cells live about 2–3 months) while still letting your care team adjust course relatively quickly.

The bottom line

This is general guidance, not a personal schedule. Your own testing interval should come from your care team, based on your specific history and how your numbers have been trending.