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A normal blood test isn't the same as a well body
The HbA1c blood test is one of the most commonly used measures of blood sugar health, and one of the least well-explained. It's the test your GP uses to decide whether you're pre-diabetic, diabetic, or "fine." But what it actually measures, what it can't see, and how to interpret your own results — these are conversations that almost never happen in a ten-minute appointment.
In this episode of Nourished & Found, Frances Norgate explains what HbA1c is actually telling you, the three real limitations of the test that almost nobody is told about, and what to ask for instead if you've been told your numbers are fine but you don't feel fine. This is the episode for anyone living in the gap between a normal blood test and a body that's clearly trying to say something.
Three takeaways:
HbA1c is an average across three months — meaning two people having completely different days can produce the same result. A "normal" number doesn't always mean a well body
The clinical thresholds are conservative. People sitting at 39, 40, 41 are often dismissed as fine when the more important question is which direction their numbers have been moving year on year
A continuous glucose monitor, symptom tracking, and a fasting insulin test (which you usually have to ask for explicitly) give you a much fuller picture than HbA1c on its own
Free guides:
Is Your Blood Sugar Working Against You? Ten Signs Most People Completely Miss → francesnorgate.com/#bloodsugarguide
Pre-Diabetes: What Your GP Didn't Have Time to Tell You → francesnorgate.com/prediabetes-guide
Work with Frances:
Free 30-minute Blood Sugar Audit → francesnorgate.com/blood-sugar-audit
Free discovery call → francesnorgate.com/work-with-me
Follow Nourished & Found:
Substack → francesnorgate.substack.com
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/nourished-found/id1868788812
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4xlG5vBrC0tKadVPfsBUus
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information shared is general and may not apply to your individual circumstances. Always consult your GP or qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance, and never make changes to prescribed medication without medical supervision. Frances Norgate is a Qualified Nutrition and Lifestyle Advisor (mFHT, CertION, MA) and works alongside, not in place of, your existing medical care.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit francesnorgate.substack.com
View all episodes
By by Frances Norgate, CertION, mFHT, MAThe HbA1c blood test is one of the most commonly used measures of blood sugar health, and one of the least well-explained. It's the test your GP uses to decide whether you're pre-diabetic, diabetic, or "fine." But what it actually measures, what it can't see, and how to interpret your own results — these are conversations that almost never happen in a ten-minute appointment.
In this episode of Nourished & Found, Frances Norgate explains what HbA1c is actually telling you, the three real limitations of the test that almost nobody is told about, and what to ask for instead if you've been told your numbers are fine but you don't feel fine. This is the episode for anyone living in the gap between a normal blood test and a body that's clearly trying to say something.
Three takeaways:
HbA1c is an average across three months — meaning two people having completely different days can produce the same result. A "normal" number doesn't always mean a well body
The clinical thresholds are conservative. People sitting at 39, 40, 41 are often dismissed as fine when the more important question is which direction their numbers have been moving year on year
A continuous glucose monitor, symptom tracking, and a fasting insulin test (which you usually have to ask for explicitly) give you a much fuller picture than HbA1c on its own
Free guides:
Is Your Blood Sugar Working Against You? Ten Signs Most People Completely Miss → francesnorgate.com/#bloodsugarguide
Pre-Diabetes: What Your GP Didn't Have Time to Tell You → francesnorgate.com/prediabetes-guide
Work with Frances:
Free 30-minute Blood Sugar Audit → francesnorgate.com/blood-sugar-audit
Free discovery call → francesnorgate.com/work-with-me
Follow Nourished & Found:
Substack → francesnorgate.substack.com
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/nourished-found/id1868788812
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4xlG5vBrC0tKadVPfsBUus
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information shared is general and may not apply to your individual circumstances. Always consult your GP or qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance, and never make changes to prescribed medication without medical supervision. Frances Norgate is a Qualified Nutrition and Lifestyle Advisor (mFHT, CertION, MA) and works alongside, not in place of, your existing medical care.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit francesnorgate.substack.com