What’s the difference between HbA1c and fasting glucose tests?

The HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, while a fasting glucose test measures your blood sugar at a single point in time after you’ve fasted for 8-12 hours. Fasting glucose tests are often used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes, while HbA1c provides a long-term view of blood sugar control. Both tests are valuable, with HbA1c being more reliable for ongoing monitoring of diabetes. Fasting glucose tests offer immediate insights but don’t reflect long-term glucose trends.