Managing diabetes effectively requires understanding your lab results. The numbers on your diabetes reports aren't just statistics—they're powerful tools that help you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about your treatment and lifestyle.
Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing diabetes for years, this guide will help you understand what each test measures, what the target ranges are, and what your results mean for your health management plan.
What You'll Learn
- • HbA1c: Your diabetes report card
- • Blood glucose levels and what they mean
- • Fructosamine and other alternative tests
- • Kidney function tests for diabetics
- • Target ranges for optimal diabetes management
- • How to track trends and improvements
HbA1c: Your Diabetes Report Card
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is the most important test for diabetes management. It shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.
HbA1c Target Ranges
What HbA1c Numbers Mean
Below 7% (53 mmol/mol)
Excellent diabetes control. Keep up the great work!
7-8% (53-64 mmol/mol)
Good control, but room for improvement.
8-9% (64-75 mmol/mol)
Control needs improvement. Discuss treatment changes.
Above 9% (75 mmol/mol)
Poor control. Urgent treatment adjustment needed.
HbA1c to Average Blood Sugar Conversion
6% HbA1c
126 mg/dL avg
7% HbA1c
154 mg/dL avg
8% HbA1c
183 mg/dL avg
9% HbA1c
212 mg/dL avg
Blood Glucose Levels Explained
Blood glucose tests provide snapshots of your blood sugar at specific times. Different tests serve different purposes in diabetes management.
Fasting Blood Glucose
Measured after at least 8 hours of not eating.
Normal
70-99 mg/dL
(3.9-5.5 mmol/L)
Prediabetes
100-125 mg/dL
(5.6-6.9 mmol/L)
Diabetes
≥126 mg/dL
(≥7.0 mmol/L)
Random Blood Glucose
Measured at any time, regardless of when you last ate.
Normal
<140 mg/dL
(<7.8 mmol/L)
Suggests Diabetes
≥200 mg/dL
(≥11.1 mmol/L)
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Blood sugar measured 2 hours after drinking a glucose solution.
Normal
<140 mg/dL
Prediabetes
140-199 mg/dL
Diabetes
≥200 mg/dL
Daily Glucose Targets for People with Diabetes
American Diabetes Association Targets
Before Meals (Preprandial)
80-130 mg/dL
(4.4-7.2 mmol/L)
1-2 Hours After Meals
<180 mg/dL
(<10.0 mmol/L)
Note: Your doctor may set different targets based on your age, health conditions, and risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Other Important Diabetes Tests
Fructosamine
Shows average blood sugar over 2-3 weeks. Useful when HbA1c might not be accurate.
Good Control
<285 μmol/L
Fair Control
285-400 μmol/L
Poor Control
>400 μmol/L
C-Peptide
Measures how much insulin your pancreas is making. Helps distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Normal range: 0.8-3.1 ng/mL (fasting)
Autoantibodies (Type 1 Diabetes)
Tests like GAD, IA-2, and ZnT8 antibodies help confirm Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Positive results indicate autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells.
Kidney Function Tests for Diabetics
Diabetes can damage kidneys over time, so regular monitoring is essential.
Microalbumin (Urine)
Detects early kidney damage before symptoms appear.
eGFR (Kidney Function)
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate shows how well kidneys filter blood.
Tracking Your Progress
Tips for Better Diabetes Management
Monitoring Frequency
- • HbA1c: Every 3-6 months
- • Home glucose: As directed by doctor
- • Kidney tests: Annually or more often
- • Eye exams: Annually
What Affects Your Numbers
- • Food choices and timing
- • Physical activity levels
- • Stress and sleep quality
- • Medication adherence
- • Illness or infections
When to Contact Your Healthcare Team
Urgent Situations
- • Blood glucose >400 mg/dL
- • Blood glucose <70 mg/dL with symptoms
- • Persistent vomiting or inability to eat
- • Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis
Schedule Appointment
- • HbA1c above your target for 2+ tests
- • Frequent low blood sugars
- • New symptoms or concerns
- • Difficulty managing blood sugars