Integrated circuit having a programmable element and method of operating the circuit

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• a terminal for applying an internal voltage supply;
• a programmable element having an electrical interconnect resistance variable by programming;
• an evaluation circuit, connected to said programmable element, for evaluating the electrical interconnect resistance of said programmable element;
• and
• a trimming circuit, connected to said evaluation circuit, for variably generating a control voltage for variably setting an operating point of said evaluation circuit in an operation of the integrated circuit;
• said evaluation circuit having a reading-out transistor with a control terminal connected to said trimming circuit and receiving the control voltage;
• said terminal for applying the internal voltage supply being connected, through said reading-out transistor, to said programmable element.