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HbA1c – Type 2 Diabetes

Every person with Type 2 diabetes has to manage their condition to live a healthy, happy life. This quick guide shows the glucose readings that you should be aiming for.

Glucose guidance for type 2 diabetes with three key areas: overall targets, daily targets, and practical tips. Overall targets are: HbA1c below 53 mmol/mol, time in range (3.9–10.0 mmol/L) above 70%, and time below range (under 3.9 mmol/L) below 4%. Daily glucose targets are: before breakfast 5–7 mmol/L, before meals 4–7 mmol/L, two hours after meals 5–9 mmol/L, and at bedtime 6–8 mmol/L. Tips include giving insulin 5–15 minutes before meals, using alerts to avoid low or prolonged high glucose levels, and improving carbohydrate counting by practicing with small numbers.

Top 3 tips for managing glucose

  • Give insulin ideally 5 – 15 minutes before meal times.
  • Use alerts to help avoid hypoglycaemia and prolonged high glucose.
  • Improve your carb counting skills

Things to remember

  • Your HbA1c is a measure of blood glucose over the last 8 – 12 weeks.
  • The target HbA1c for people with type 2 diabetes is 53 mmol/mol.
  • Time in range (TIR) is the percentage time spent with a glucose between 3.9 and 10.0 mm. TIR refers to the use of continuous glucose monitors.
  • Recommended TIR is greater than 70%.
  • Increasing TIR by just 10% reduces your risk of complications by 50%.