Know Your Numbers: Why HbA1c and Blood Glucose Monitoring Matter

Did you know that more than 1 in 3 American adults have prediabetes—and over 80% of them don’t even know it? That’s like walking around with a ticking time bomb in your bloodstream—and not even hearing the clock.

That’s a staggering statistic, especially considering how preventable type 2 diabetes can be with early intervention.

The good news? You don’t need a crystal ball to see what’s coming. You just need to know your numbers—specifically your HbA1c and blood glucose levels—and use them like a health GPS to course-correct before things go off track.

Think of HbA1c as your blood sugar’s report card. It tells you your average blood glucose over the past 3 months, not just how you’re doing today. A quick snapshot:

• A+ (Normal): Below 5.7%

• Warning Zone (Prediabetes): 5.7%–6.4%

• Uh-oh (Diabetes): 6.5% or higher

So even if you feel “fine” your HbA1c might be quietly whispering, “Make a U turn!”. Knowing your number can alert you to problems years before symptoms appear—giving you time to take action.

Why Monitor Blood Glucose?

Your body is constantly giving feedback—you just have to listen. Even if your HbA1c is normal, tracking daily blood glucose trends—especially fasting and after meals—can give you real-time insights into how your body responds to certain foods, stress, or lack of sleep. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or finger-stick testing can empower you to make smarter daily choices and see immediate feedback.

What's My Target!?

When you eat carbohydrates, not just sugar, your blood glucose will go up. If you are going to poke yourself, make it impactful. Fasting blood glucose, meaning before you eat first thing in the morning, is a great indicator of your baseline. If you only check once a day, this is valuable information. You don't need to check before meals but if you are curious how you responded to your meal, check two hours later. This is assessing: How well did your body process that sugar? How well is your insulin working? Fasting blood sugar of over 99 is considered pre-diabetes, as is a blood sugar over 140 two hours after a meal. Fasting blood sugar over 125 or over 200 two hours after a meal is diagnostic for diabetes.

Be the CEO of Your Own Health

Here’s the thing: most doctors see you once or twice a year. You live in your body every single day. When you know your numbers, you stop being a passenger and start driving the car—preferably away from chronic illness.

Functional medicine is different, it's all about getting upstream—spotting dysfunction before it becomes disease. So, whether your blood sugar is just starting to creep up or already waving a red flag, you have the power to reverse course. Nutrition, movement, stress management, and sleep aren’t just buzzwords—they’re your frontline defense.

Bottom Line?

You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis. Start paying attention now. Request an HbA1c test, consider blood glucose monitoring if you're at risk, and take small, sustainable steps to protect your metabolic health. The earlier you intervene, the more options you have—and the better your long-term outcomes will be.

When it comes to your health, what you don’t know can hurt you—but what you do know? That can change everything.