Educational information from Her Form — reviewed for accuracy by our health specialists.
Not a substitute for personal medical advice. Optional 1:1 consults with Robyn, our consulting women's-health specialist, are available on request.
What it is
HbA1c reflects the average glucose stuck to red blood cells over the last ~90 days. It is more stable than a one-off fasting glucose.
Why it matters for women
Insulin resistance underlies most PCOS, fuels perimenopausal belly weight, and drives long-term cardiovascular and dementia risk in women.
Optimal range
<5.4%.
Standard lab range
Pre-diabetes flagged at 5.7%, diabetes at 6.5%.
When it's high
- ↑Insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes
- ↑PCOS
- ↑Perimenopausal weight gain
When it's low
- ↓Anaemia (false low)
References
- RACGP — Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance guidelines— HbA1c targets, insulin resistance screening and management
- NICE — Type 2 diabetes (NG28)— Blood-glucose monitoring and HbA1c interpretation
- Endocrine Society — Insulin resistance and metabolic health— Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in women
- Jean Hailes — PCOS and metabolic health— Blood-sugar management in PCOS and perimenopause
References are provided for educational context only. Always interpret results with a qualified healthcare professional.
A note on interpretation. Ranges above are what our health specialists works to in healthy women. They are not a diagnosis — a single result always needs context from your symptoms, cycle phase and other markers.