Blood Sugar Misdiagnosis - Why HbA1c Isn’t Always the Full Story!

Most people today rely on their HbA1c report to check if they have prediabetes or diabetes. Your reports as well as doctors often say if your HbA1c is 5.7% or higher, you’re on the road to prediabetes.

But the surprising truth is if your haemoglobin is low (10–11 g/dL), your HbA1c may show a false high reading & you could be misdiagnosed with prediabetes when the real issue is anemia.

We’ll be explaining what’s going on and how you can test more accurately in this blog.

Why HbA1c Can Mislead You?

• HbA1c measures how much glucose is attached to your red blood cells.

• When your haemoglobin drops, the test can artificially inflate HbA1c levels.

• This is common if you have iron deficiency anemia, low B12, or chronic illness.

So, if your HbA1c is high but your haemoglobin is low, you might not actually have a blood sugar problem

Here Are 3 Tests You Should Ask For Instead

To get a true picture of your blood sugar health, focus on these three markers:

1. Fasting Insulin

This test shows how much insulin your body produces while fasting.

• >5 μIU/mL – Indicates early insulin resistance

• >10 μIU/mL - Likely prediabetes

• >15 μIU/mL – Indicates higher risk of diabetes

This is one of the earliest signs your body is struggling with blood sugar, often before glucose levels go up

2. C-Peptide

This test reflects how well your pancreas is producing insulin.

• Low C-peptide: Your pancreas may be slowing down.

• High C-peptide: Your body is producing excess insulin to compensate for resistance

It works beautifully alongside fasting insulin to show your real metabolic status

3. Fasting Glucose (with context)

By itself, fasting glucose is limited since it only reflects what you ate the night before. But when combined with fasting insulin and C-peptide, it adds clarity

Here Are Some Hacks & Foods That Support Healthy Blood Sugar:

Even if you’re not officially diabetic, blood sugar spikes can affect energy, cravings, and long-term health. Here are some practical hacks to manage your blood sugar comfortably:

1. Start Your Meal with Fiber

• Eat a small portion of salad, vegetables, or chia seeds before carbs.

• Fiber slows down glucose absorption and prevents spikes

2. Add Cinnamon to Breakfast

• Cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity.

• Sprinkle it on oats, smoothies, or yogurt.

3. Choose Protein + Healthy Fats with Carbs

• Pair rice with lentils and ghee, or bread with eggs/avocado.

• This balances digestion and keeps sugar stable.

4. Go for Magnesium-Rich Foods

• Nuts, seeds, spinach, and dark chocolate support better insulin function.

5. Walk After Meals

• Just 10–15 minutes of walking after meals can lower post-meal blood sugar significantly.

Here Are Foods That Help To Balance Your Blood Sugar Naturally

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, methi) - rich in magnesium and fiber

• Fenugreek seeds (methi dana) - soaked overnight, they improve insulin sensitivity

• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans) - slow-digesting carbs with protein

• Berries - lower glycemic impact, packed with antioxidants

• Pumpkin seeds - excellent source of zinc and magnesium

Final Thoughts

HbA1c is a valuable test, but it’s not the whole story—especially if your hemoglobin is low. To truly understand your risk of prediabetes or diabetes, ask your doctor about:

• Fasting Insulin

• C-Peptide

• Fasting Glucose (for context)

And remember: small daily changes in food and lifestyle—like eating more fiber, adding cinnamon, and walking after meals—can dramatically improve your blood sugar control.

At The Diet Bliss, we believe prevention is better than cure. By understanding the right tests and nourishing your body with the right foods, you can stay one step ahead of misdiagnosis and live with energy and balance.

Ready to Take Charge of Your Health?

If you’re confused about your reports or struggling to manage your blood sugar, I offer 1-on-1 personalized programs to help you:

• Understand your test results

• Build a food plan that works for your lifestyle

• Improve energy, blood sugar control, and overall health

Click on the button below to chat with us on WhatsApp to get started on your health journey today