HbA1c — Three-Month Glucose Average
HbA1c gives an average of blood glucose over the past two to three months. Per the CDC: below 5.7% normal, 5.7–6.4% prediabetes, 6.5% or above diabetes.
HbA1c measures the percentage of haemoglobin coated with glucose to give an average of blood glucose over the past two to three months — and, per the CDC, below 5.7% is normal, 5.7–6.4% is prediabetes and 6.5% or above is diabetes.
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HbA1c is your average blood glucose over the previous eight to twelve weeks.
Transcript & sources → All videosMr. Age is AgeGen's editorial character. Facts come from the protocol above.
The biomarker
- Name: HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)
- Units: % (percentage of haemoglobin that is glycated)
- Standard reference range: < 5.7 normal; 5.7–6.4 prediabetes; ≥ 6.5 diabetes — CDC categories (ranges vary by lab)
How to read your result
| HbA1c (%) | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| < 5.7 | Normal (CDC category) |
| 5.7–6.4 | Prediabetes (CDC category) — the higher the A1C within this range, the greater the risk of type 2 diabetes |
| ≥ 6.5 | Diabetes range (CDC category) — in someone not already diagnosed, a clinician confirms the diagnosis |
What to do with the result
- Prediabetes range. A result of 5.7–6.4% is a reason to ask your clinician about next steps and a repeat test.
- Diabetes range. A result of 6.5% or higher in someone without diabetes goes to a clinician, who confirms the diagnosis.
Why this test is worth asking for
- What you ate recently does not affect the A1C test, so no fasting is needed — it reflects glucose over the life of red blood cells, about three months.
- It is used to screen for and diagnose type 2 diabetes, and the CDC categories give the result a published frame of reference.
HbA1c sits inside the at-home panel I use, next to the rest of the metabolic set.
At-Home Comprehensive Blood Panel
A finger-prick home panel covering key metabolic and inflammation markers (such as HbA1c, hsCRP, GGT and glucose) so you can baseline and re-check the numbers that move with diet and…
See it in the shop →Illustrative photo. We may earn a commission — the affiliate link and the full disclosure live on our shop page.
Related protocols
- Fasting Glucose — Baseline Metabolic Marker
- Urine ACR — Albumin-to-Creatinine Kidney Marker
- Uric Acid — Metabolic + Gout Marker
Sources
- MedlinePlus — A1C
- MedlinePlus — Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Test
- CDC — A1C Test for Diabetes and Prediabetes
AgeGen lab guides are educational only. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe brands, or recommend specific doses. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing your supplement or medication routine.
