Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects average blood glucose levels over the preceding 2-3 months by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin protein in red blood cells that has glucose attached (glycated). It's a key marker for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes risk. While valuable, HbA1c is an average and doesn't capture glucose variability or spikes; Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) provides a more comprehensive view of glycemic control. Standard Interpretation:

• < 5.7%: Normal
• 5.7% - 6.4%: Prediabetes
• ≥ 6.5%: Diabetes For optimal health and minimizing glycation-related damage associated with aging, longevity experts often target levels below the prediabetes threshold, ideally <5.5% or even <5.3%.