Glycated Haemoglobin

Glucose Metabolism marker

HbA1c

Glycated Haemoglobin

Category: Glucose Metabolism
Unit: %

Average blood sugar over 2-3 months. Best marker for long-term glucose control.

PED Notes

GH use can worsen HbA1c over time, indicating insulin resistance. More reliable than single glucose readings as it reflects 2-3 months average. High haematocrit from AAS can affect accuracy of some HbA1c assays. Target <5.5% for optimal metabolic health.

When high

Supplements:

  • Berberine -- 500mg 2-3x/day
  • Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) -- 300-600mg/day

Lifestyle:

  • Low-glycaemic diet
  • Regular cardio and strength training
  • If HbA1c trending upward on GH, consider dose reduction

Pharmacological options (when supplements are insufficient):

  • Metformin -- 500-2000mg/day; first-line; also has longevity/mTOR evidence; start low (500mg) to avoid GI upset
  • Semaglutide / Tirzepatide -- 0.25-2.4mg or 2.5-15mg subQ weekly; GLP-1 (or GLP-1/GIP) agonist; reduces HbA1c 1-2 percentage points; ideal for GH/MK-677 users with weight management goals
  • Acarbose -- 25-100mg with main carb meals; alpha-glucosidase inhibitor; blunts post-prandial spikes; main side effect is flatulence
  • Empagliflozin / Dapagliflozin (SGLT2 inhibitors) -- 10-25mg/day; cardiovascular and renal protective; useful when concurrent BP/HCT issues
  • Pioglitazone -- 15-30mg/day; PPAR-gamma insulin sensitiser; reserved for severe GH-induced IR; weight gain and oedema are notable side effects
  • Reduce or pause exogenous GH -- GH antagonises insulin; dose reduction is often the most effective single intervention
  • All require physician oversight

History Chart

Reading History

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference Ranges

Standard Range

4 - 6 %

VitalMetrics Range

4 - 5.5 %

Statistics