Biomarker library

Metabolic and diabetes markers

Blood sugar control and insulin resistance. 6 markers, each with the guideline behind it, the ranges, what can affect it, what Passion Health does if it's out of range and when to retest.

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Medically reviewed by Anantha Chentha, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Quality Medical Officer · October 30, 2026. Meet our cliniciansNext review: October 2027

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In Full Blood WorkFocused panel or single testCalculated

Metabolic & diabetes

Blood sugar control and insulin resistance.

Hemoglobin A1c

In Full Blood Work

Your average blood sugar over about three months.

Why it matters: ADA diagnostic cutoffs. ADA also recommends screening Asian American adults starting at a BMI of 23.

Ranges: Normal below 5.7%; prediabetes 5.7–6.4%; diabetes 6.5% or higher, confirmed by a repeat test (ADA).

What can affect it: Anemia, recent blood loss, kidney disease and some hemoglobin variants can make it read falsely.

If it’s out of range: Prediabetes gets a nutrition plan; a diabetes-range result gets confirmation and a treatment plan.

When to retest: Every 3–6 months while making changes.

Condition guide: Prediabetes care online · Type 2 diabetes care online

Fasting glucose

In Full Blood Work

Blood sugar at the moment of the draw.

Why it matters: Part of the metabolic panel; read alongside A1c.

Ranges: Normal below 100; 100–125 prediabetes; 126 or higher on two tests suggests diabetes (ADA).

What can affect it: Fasting status, stress, illness and steroid medicines.

If it’s out of range: A mismatch with A1c prompts a repeat test.

When to retest: With your next metabolic panel.

Condition guide: Prediabetes care online · Type 2 diabetes care online

Estimated average glucose

Calculated

Your A1c translated into everyday glucose units.

Why it matters: Calculated from A1c to make it easier to compare with home glucose readings.

Ranges: An A1c of 7% corresponds to about 154 mg/dL.

What can affect it: Same as A1c.

If it’s out of range: Shown on your report, not counted.

When to retest: With A1c.

Condition guide: Prediabetes care online · Type 2 diabetes care online

Fasting insulin

Focused panel or single test

How hard your body works to keep sugar normal.

Why it matters: Helps assess insulin resistance with weight or prediabetes concerns. It is not a guideline screening test.

Ranges: No universal cutoff; read with fasting glucose as HOMA-IR.

What can affect it: Fasting status, weight and diabetes medicines.

If it’s out of range: Guides nutrition and weight-management plans.

When to retest: 3–6 months after changes.

Condition guide: Insulin resistance test guide

HOMA-IR

Calculated

Insulin resistance score from fasting insulin and glucose.

Why it matters: A research-derived estimate that helps track change over time.

Ranges: Higher means more insulin resistance; there's no single diagnostic cutoff.

What can affect it: Same as insulin and glucose.

If it’s out of range: Shown when fasting insulin is ordered.

When to retest: With fasting insulin.

Condition guide: Insulin resistance test guide

Uric acid

Focused panel or single test

A waste product linked to gout and kidney stones.

Why it matters: Checked with gout, kidney stones or certain medicines. It is not a screening test.

Ranges: Above about 6.8 mg/dL, urate can crystallize in joints.

What can affect it: Diet, alcohol, kidney function and water pills.

If it’s out of range: Treatment decisions depend on symptoms, not the number alone.

When to retest: When managing gout.

Condition guide: Uric acid test for gout

Education only. Your clinician interprets results with your history. Reference ranges vary by lab; your report shows ours.

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