Is A HbA1c Of 6% Considered Prediabetic?

Posted on Thu, 16 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 Answered on

Thu, 7 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My moms A1C is 6. Is that prediabetic?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
prediabetes range

Detailed Answer:
Good day.
yes HbA1c of 6% is prediabetes range. HbA1c is considered normal if it is less than 5.7%. Between 5.7 to 6.5% is prediabetes and beyond 6.5% is diabetes range. She should undergo an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT ) to estimate the risk of developing diabetes in the future.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Thank u! She is normal weight & works out 6hrs/wk . She eats well bc she is dietician. Type 2 runs in family. What types of treatments are available? Metformin?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
May start Metformin

Detailed Answer: XXXXXXX Diabetes Association recommends Metformin in patients with pre diabetes. However, many research trials have shown that, life style modifications are superior to Metformin in reversing prediabetes or to postpone transforming Predabetes to diabetes. Encourage to lose 5% of current body weight. If she is eating right and exercisig well allready now, she could start on Metformin straight away.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar