Best Lab Tests for Prediabetes: Catching Blood Sugar Problems Early

I’ll never forget a patient who came in saying, “But I don’t have diabetes — my doctor said my sugar is just a little high.” That “little high” turned out to be prediabetes, and it was the wake-up call she needed. The good news? With the right tests, you can spot prediabetes early and take steps to reverse it before it becomes type 2 diabetes.

Why Lab Testing Matters for Prediabetes

Prediabetes isn’t a diagnosis to fear — it’s an opportunity. It means your blood sugar is elevated, but not high enough for diabetes. Labs give us the inside scoop: how well your body manages glucose, how much insulin your pancreas is producing, and whether resistance is building quietly behind the scenes.

Without labs, prediabetes often goes unnoticed until it’s progressed. With labs, you can track trends, spot risk factors, and make lifestyle changes that actually move the needle.

 

Best Lab Tests for Prediabetes

1. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Measures: Your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months.
Prediabetes Range: 5.7 – 6.4%
Why It Matters: A1c is a great “big picture” marker and often the first clue that blood sugar is running high.

Read my full guide on A1c here ➜

 

2. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Measures: Blood sugar after fasting 8+ hours.
Prediabetes Range: 100 – 125 mg/dL
Why It Matters: Simple and inexpensive — fasting glucose is often used as a first screening tool.

Read my full guide on fasting glucose here ➜

 

3. Fasting Insulin

Measures: How much insulin your pancreas is producing while fasting.
Why It Matters: High fasting insulin is an early sign of insulin resistance, often years before glucose or A1c change.

Read my full guide on fasting insulin here ➜

 

4. C-Peptide

Measures: How much insulin your body is making.
Why It Matters: Helps distinguish between low insulin production and insulin resistance.

Read my full guide on C-peptide here ➜

 

Putting the Puzzle Together

Each of these labs provides a different piece of the story:

  • A1c shows your average blood sugar.

  • Fasting glucose reveals your baseline after not eating.

  • Fasting insulin and C-peptide uncover how hard your pancreas is working behind the scenes.

Together, they give a strong picture of whether you’re trending toward diabetes or making progress toward better metabolic health.

 

Later, you can also add advanced markers like the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) or HOMA-IR for even more detail.

Testing Options

You don’t have to wait for your annual check-up to get these labs. These trusted direct-to-consumer providers make it simple:

Order online and visit a local lab for quick results.

Diabetes Blood Tests

Easy ordering, nationwide locations, and results typically within days.

Offers prediabetes and metabolic panels with physician-reviewed reports.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share lab options I genuinely trust and would recommend to my own patients, friends, and family.

Next Steps

Lab results are just the beginning. The real change happens when you connect them to your daily habits.

Download my free “What Spikes Me?” Tracker to see how food, stress, and sleep affect your glucose.
Grab the Inner Critic Playbook or Sustainable Habits Guide to start building consistency that lasts.
Book a free 60-minute consultation with me — let’s walk through your labs together and create a plan that feels doable and sustainable.

 

References

  • American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2025.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes: Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

  • Mayo Clinic. Prediabetes: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Read Next

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