what is gmi vs a1c

GMI vs A1C

GMI (Glucose Management Indicator) and A1C (Hemoglobin A1C) are both metrics used to assess blood sugar control, but they are calculated differently and provide slightly different insights.

• A1C:

  • Measures the percentage of hemoglobin in your blood that is coated with sugar (glycated hemoglobin).
  • Reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.
  • The standard diagnostic tool for diabetes and prediabetes.
  • Normal range: Below 5.7%
  • Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
  • Diabetes: 6.5% or above

• GMI:

  • An estimated A1C value derived from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data.
  • Reflects your average glucose levels over a shorter period, typically 14-30 days.
  • Calculated using the formula: GMI (%) = 3.31 + 0.02392 × mean glucose (mg/dL).
  • Useful for people using CGMs to track their glucose levels in real-time.

Key Differences

Metric Data Source Time Frame Use Case

A1C Blood test 2-3 months Diagnosis and long-term monitoring GMI CGM data 14-30 days Short-term glucose management

While A1C is the gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, GMI provides a more immediate snapshot of glucose control, especially for those using CGMs. Both metrics are valuable, but they serve different purposes in diabetes management.