HbA1c testing should be repeated every how many months for patients noncompliant with targets?

• A. Every 3 months
• B. Every month
• C. Every 6 months
• D. Every 12 months

Answer: (A)

HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over roughly the past two to three months because red blood cells live about 120 days, so it provides a long-term view rather than day-to-day fluctuations. When a patient isn’t meeting targets or is nonadherent, you want feedback quickly to guide therapy changes and motivate better control. Checking HbA1c every three months gives timely information about how well the overall glucose control is working and whether adjustments are needed. Monthly testing is unnecessary for HbA1c and adds cost without adding meaningful early signal; waiting six or twelve months could miss deterioration and delay intervention. So, for patients not at target, the recommended interval is every three months.