If you're trying to manage your blood sugar, you've likely come across two important numbers: fasting glucose and A1C. While both are valuable tools in understanding your diabetes or prediabetes status, they measure different things. Knowing how they work together helps you get a more complete picture of your health — and empowers you to make better decisions.
Fasting glucose is the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood after you haven’t eaten for at least 8 hours. This test is usually done first thing in the morning. It's a quick way to assess how well your body is managing glucose without the influence of recent meals.
Hemoglobin A1C (also called HbA1c) measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Instead of showing a single reading like fasting glucose, A1C shows how much sugar is attached to your red blood cells — which live about 90 days. This gives a broader view of your long-term glucose control.
Some people have normal fasting glucose but elevated A1C, or vice versa. That’s why doctors often use both to get a full picture. A1C may miss day-to-day fluctuations, and fasting glucose may miss chronic elevations. Together, they help catch blood sugar problems early.
It depends on your health goals. A1C is better for tracking long-term management and how well your overall plan is working. Fasting glucose is helpful for catching spikes or trends and guiding short-term changes. Ideally, aim to keep both in a healthy range for best results.
Fasting glucose and A1C aren’t enemies — they’re partners. One gives you a snapshot, the other gives you a movie. When you learn to track both and respond smartly, you’re in the best position to lower your A1C, stabilize your glucose, and take charge of your health naturally. Keep testing, keep learning, and stay consistent — your numbers will follow.