by Elaine
(Brooklet ga)
QUESTION: Hi, I am a type 2 diabetic. My fasting blood sugar has been running in the 80s and sometimes in the 90s before breakfast, and 120 mg/dL and below after breakfast. My A1c on July 14th of this year was 6.5%. My question is: what could my reading be now?
Your current glucose readings are encouraging, but it is not possible to accurately predict your present A1c from a few fasting and after-breakfast readings.
An A1c of 6.5% corresponds to an estimated average glucose of about 140 mg/dL. If your readings in the 80s–90s before breakfast and around 120 mg/dL after breakfast have been typical throughout the day for several weeks, your next A1c may be lower than 6.5%. The only reliable way to know is to repeat the A1c test.
Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc
Hello Elaine,
Your current readings suggest good glucose control at the times you are testing. Fasting values in the 80–90 mg/dL range and after-breakfast readings around 120 mg/dL or below are within common treatment targets for many adults with diabetes.
However, A1c reflects your overall glucose exposure over approximately the previous 2–3 months. A finger-stick reading shows only what your glucose is at one particular moment.
An A1c of 6.5% corresponds to an estimated average glucose of approximately 140 mg/dL.
| A1c | Estimated Average Glucose |
|---|---|
| 6.0% | About 126 mg/dL |
| 6.5% | About 140 mg/dL |
| 7.0% | About 154 mg/dL |
For many nonpregnant adults with diabetes, an A1c below 7% is a commonly used treatment goal, although your individual target should be discussed with your healthcare professional.
Yes, it could be. If your glucose has consistently remained in the ranges you described since your previous test, your next A1c may be lower.
I would not predict an exact value such as 6.0%, 6.2% or 6.4%, because we do not know what your glucose is doing before and after lunch, after dinner, at bedtime or overnight.
For a fuller explanation, see our guide to HbA1c and average glucose.
A glucose meter gives you a snapshot. A1c reflects a much longer period. For example, your fasting glucose may be 90 mg/dL while your glucose rises higher after lunch or dinner. Those rises still contribute to A1c.
A1c can also be affected by conditions that change red blood cell lifespan, including some forms of anemia, kidney disease, recent blood loss or transfusion, and certain hemoglobin variants. If A1c and home readings differ substantially, your doctor should review the pattern.
A1c is often checked about every 3 months when treatment has changed or glucose goals are still being assessed. If diabetes is stable and well controlled, your doctor may recommend testing less often.
You can learn more about the different tests in our guide to blood tests for diabetes.
To compare your morning readings with standard ranges, see our guide to normal fasting blood sugar levels.
If you use insulin or medicines that can cause hypoglycemia, a glucose reading below 70 mg/dL is considered low. Repeated low readings should be discussed with your healthcare professional, particularly if you develop sweating, shaking, weakness, dizziness or confusion.
Your fasting readings in the 80s and 90s and your after-breakfast readings around 120 mg/dL are encouraging. If they represent your usual glucose pattern throughout the day, your next A1c may remain well controlled and could be lower than 6.5%.
I would not focus on trying to predict an exact A1c number. The better approach is to look at your overall glucose pattern, avoid hypoglycemia, continue your treatment plan and repeat the laboratory A1c when it is due.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
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