Short answer
Fasting blood sugar below 100 mg/dL is normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL is prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or more suggests diabetes. For HbA1c, below 5.7% is normal, 5.7 to 6.4% is prediabetes and 6.5% or more suggests diabetes. A diagnosis is usually confirmed with a repeat test on another day, unless the sugar is very high with symptoms.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Sugar test ranges
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood sugar (after at least 8 hours without food) | Below 100 mg/dL | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 126 mg/dL or more |
| HbA1c (average sugar over 2 to 3 months) | Below 5.7% | 5.7% to 6.4% | 6.5% or more |
| 2 hours after a 75 g glucose drink (OGTT) | Below 140 mg/dL | 140 to 199 mg/dL | 200 mg/dL or more |
| Random blood sugar, with symptoms of diabetes | 200 mg/dL or more |
These are the American Diabetes Association’s diagnostic ranges, which doctors in India also widely use. Pregnancy uses different cut-offs; see our article on the GDM test.
How to prepare
- For fasting sugar, eat nothing for at least 8 hours before the test, usually overnight. Plain water is allowed.
- HbA1c needs no fasting.
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor says otherwise, and tell the lab what you take.
Symptoms of diabetes
- Feeling very thirsty
- Passing urine more often than usual
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness
- Losing weight without trying
Type 2 diabetes often causes mild symptoms or none for years, so regular check-ups and blood tests are the best way to find it early.
If you have prediabetes
Prediabetes does not mean you will definitely get diabetes. Research shows that losing about 7% of your body weight and brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than half. Get your sugar checked every 1 to 2 years.
If you have diabetes
- A diet plan, regular activity and, if needed, tablets or insulin
- Regular HbA1c checks to see how well your sugar is controlled
- Checks of BP, cholesterol, kidneys, eyes and feet, to prevent complications
- Stopping smoking
At Dhruva Hospitals
Dr. B Surya (MBBS, MD General Medicine, JIPMER), our physician and diabetologist, manages diabetes and related conditions, with blood tests done in our in-house laboratory. Call +91 99599 59694 to book. OPD hours are 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Common questions
Is a fasting sugar of 110 mg/dL diabetes?
No. A fasting sugar of 100 to 125 mg/dL is in the prediabetes range. It is a warning sign worth acting on with diet, exercise and regular checks.
Can I check my sugar with a home glucometer instead?
A glucometer is useful for monitoring diabetes, but diagnosis should be made with a laboratory test in a healthcare setting.
Read next
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.