A1c test, explained.
An A1c test shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. The American Diabetes Association puts below 5.7% in the normal range, 5.7% to 6.4% in the prediabetes range and 6.5% or higher in the diabetes range. One result is usually not enough for a diagnosis: a clinician confirms it with a second test.
- What it measures
- Average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months
- Fasting
- Not needed for A1c itself. We send prep steps for your full panel
- Who should test
- Adults 35 and older, or younger with risk factors
- In Lab Pass
- Yes, every plan, $199 a year
A1c ranges
| Result | A1c |
|---|---|
| Normal range | Below 5.7% |
| Prediabetes range | 5.7% to 6.4% |
| Diabetes range | 6.5% or higher |
| Result | Fasting glucose |
|---|---|
| Normal range | Below 100 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes range | 100 to 125 mg/dL |
| Diabetes range | 126 mg/dL or higher |
Source: American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026, section 2. General adult ranges, not a diagnosis. Your lab report prints its own range.
Who should test
The American Diabetes Association advises testing every adult from age 35, and earlier for adults with overweight plus another risk factor, such as a parent or sibling with diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS or past gestational diabetes. After a normal result, it suggests testing again at least every 3 years.
What can throw it off
A1c depends on how long your red blood cells live, so it can read higher or lower than your true average with iron deficiency, recent blood loss or a transfusion, pregnancy, advanced kidney disease, and some inherited hemoglobin types such as sickle cell trait. That is one reason it is often read beside fasting glucose.
How Sipra reads it
Your Lab Pass shows your A1c beside fasting glucose, estimated average glucose and the TyG index, each plotted on its range with a plain language read. Where a result falls outside its range, we explain what it can mean and what to ask your clinician.
Questions, answered
Other tests in Lab Pass
General information, not medical advice. A licensed physician signs your lab order; talk with your own clinician about what a result means for you.