Which of the following indicates a lack of long-term blood sugar control?

A hemoglobin A1C (HGB A1C) level of 6.5 or greater indicates a lack of long-term blood sugar control as it reflects an average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. This level signifies that the individual's blood sugar has been consistently elevated, which is a hallmark of diabetes or glucose intolerance. Clinically, a higher A1C value correlates with an increased risk of diabetes-related complications, emphasizing the need for closer monitoring and management of blood glucose levels.

In contrast, a level of less than 5.7 indicates normal blood sugar levels, while 5.7 to 6.4 suggests prediabetes—an intermediate status where blood sugar is elevated but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Fasting blood sugar levels below 70 are considered hypoglycemic and can occur due to various factors, but they do not provide insight into long-term glycemic control. Understanding these ranges helps in the assessment and management of a patient’s diabetes risk and ongoing treatment plans.