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HbA1c explained: what your number actually means
ARDoctor reviewed
Reviewed by Dr. Ananya Rao, MD DM
Cardiologist · Updated 28 Jun 2026 · 5 min read
If you have diabetes — or your doctor suspects it — you'll meet a test called HbA1c. Unlike a fasting sugar reading, which changes with every meal, HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over the last three months.
What the numbers mean
Below 5.7%Normal
5.7 – 6.4%Prediabetes
6.5% and aboveDiabetes range
One high reading is not a diagnosis. Doctors look at trends, symptoms and usually a repeat test. If your number sits in the prediabetes band, small changes — a daily walk, earlier dinners — move it meaningfully within one test cycle.
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This article is general guidance, not a diagnosis. For medical advice, consult a doctor. · Sources: ICMR guidelines 2025, ADA Standards of Care.