Normal Blood Sugar & HbA1c Levels: How to Read Your Report

Diabetes is one of Nepal's fastest-growing health problems — and one of the most preventable. The first step is simply knowing your numbers. This guide explains the three common sugar tests and how to read the results.

Medical note: Reference ranges below follow widely used international (American Diabetes Association) criteria. Labs may print slightly different ranges, and only a doctor can diagnose diabetes — one number alone is never the full story.

The Three Tests, Explained

1. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) — your glucose after 8–12 hours without food (here's how to fast properly).

| Result (mg/dL) | What it generally indicates | |---|---| | Below 100 | Normal | | 100–125 | Prediabetes — the warning zone | | 126 or above | Diabetes range (doctors confirm with a repeat test) |

2. HbA1c ("sugar average") — your average blood sugar over the past ~3 months. No fasting needed, and it can't be gamed by eating light the day before.

| Result (%) | What it generally indicates | |---|---| | Below 5.7 | Normal | | 5.7–6.4 | Prediabetes | | 6.5 or above | Diabetes range |

3. Random Blood Sugar — taken any time; a result of 200 mg/dL or above along with symptoms (thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss) points to diabetes and needs a doctor promptly.

The Zone Most People Ignore: Prediabetes

A fasting sugar of 110 or an HbA1c of 6.0 often gets a shrug — "thik chha, it's not diabetes." That's exactly backwards. Prediabetes is the stage where lifestyle change actually reverses the trajectory — weight management, daily walking, cutting sugary drinks, and better sleep measurably move these numbers. Once full diabetes develops, management gets harder and complications (heart, kidney, eye, nerve) start accumulating silently.

This is the entire logic of preventive testing: catch the number while it's still cheap to fix.

How Often Should You Test?

Adults 40+, or younger with risk factors (family history, overweight, high blood pressure): a yearly FBS + HbA1c is a sensible baseline — both are included in a full body checkup.

Already diagnosed prediabetic: your doctor will usually want HbA1c every ~6 months to track progress.

Diabetic: as advised — many patients test HbA1c quarterly. Our diabetes care panel covers ongoing monitoring at home.

At Kafal Care's published rates, a fasting blood sugar test at home is Rs. 150 and HbA1c is Rs. 800 — among the cheapest health investments you can make.

Frequently Asked Questions

My fasting sugar is normal but HbA1c is high — which do I trust? Both. They measure different things (a snapshot vs. a 3-month average), and a doctor interprets them together — this combination is exactly why doctors often order both.

Can stress or illness raise blood sugar temporarily? Yes — acute illness, poor sleep, and some medications can push readings up. Another reason single numbers aren't diagnoses.

Do I need to go to a lab? No — a licensed phlebotomist can collect the sample at your home in Kathmandu and 30+ cities, with digital reports and a free doctor consultation to explain your results.

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*Know your numbers this week: book a home sugar test — FBS from Rs. 150, HbA1c Rs. 800, collected at your doorstep.*