how bad is a hemoglobin a1c result of 6.4

An A1C level of 6.4% falls within the prediabetes range (5.7% to 6.4%). While this is not diabetes, it indicates that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal and you are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What does this mean?

• Prediabetes: Your body is not processing sugar effectively, but it hasn’t yet reached the threshold for diabetes.
• Risk of Complications: Over time, high blood sugar can lead to health issues like heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve problems.

What should you do?

• Lifestyle Changes: Focus on healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight management.
• Monitoring: Your doctor may recommend retesting every 1-2 years.
• Prevention: Taking action now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

For more details, refer to the CDC's A1C Test Guide.