HbA1c blood test
Your average blood sugar over roughly the last three months.
- Typical range (adult men)
- below 5.7 %
- Panel
- Other
- Also called
- Glycated haemoglobin, A1C
Reference ranges vary between labs; use the range on your own report. Results need to be read by a doctor alongside your symptoms and other tests.
Why it’s tested
Less affected by a single meal than fasting glucose, so it shows the longer trend.
What can raise it
- Insulin resistance or diabetes
- Long periods of high blood sugar
What can lower it
- Recent blood loss or anaemia can make it read low
Getting an accurate result
- Test in the morning, especially for hormones, which run highest early in the day.
- Stay hydrated, and test at the same lab and time of day each time so results compare fairly.
Compounds that affect HbA1c
Monitored with these, based on their known properties:
- Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
- IGF-1 LR3 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Long R3)
- Insulin (Humalog, Novolog, Humulin R)
- HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
- HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin)
- MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
- GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2)
- GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6)
- Hexarelin
- Sermorelin
- Tesamorelin (Egrifta)
- Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy)
Other other tests
Questions
What is a normal HbA1c level?
A typical adult male reference range is below 5.7 %. Ranges differ for women, by age and between labs, so compare with the range printed on your report.
What does high HbA1c mean?
Common reasons include insulin resistance or diabetes and long periods of high blood sugar. One result outside the range isn't a diagnosis: a doctor will look at it with your other markers and history.
What does low HbA1c mean?
Common reasons include recent blood loss or anaemia can make it read low.