Beyond A1C: The Hidden Predictors of Diabetes Risk

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If you’ve ever been told you’re “pre-diabetic,” this episode is for you.

We’re taught to watch our A1C — the main marker used to diagnose prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes — and many assume that if it’s below 5.7, we’re in the clear.

But what if that’s not the whole story?

In this episode of Vitality Vision by Volo, we explore groundbreaking findings from the Volo data team, based on over 28,000 individuals from the UK Biobank — all with the same A1C score of 5.7.

Joining me are David Vogel (CEO and Chief Science Officer of Voloridge Health) and Barry Miller (President), as we unpack which biomarkers truly matter — and why A1C alone isn’t enough to assess your health.

We break down the top predictors that separate the “healthy 5.7s” from the “unhealthy 5.7s,” including: 

• BMI: The healthy group averaged 10 points lower 
  
  
• HDL (good cholesterol): 18 points higher for men, 25 points higher for women 
  
  
• SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin): Doubled in the healthy group 
  
  
• Urate: 1.5 points lower — linked to kidney and metabolic health 
  
  
• ALT & GGT: Key liver enzymes, dramatically lower in the healthy cohort 
  
  
• Triglycerides: Less than half the level of the unhealthy group 
  
  
• CRP (C-reactive protein): A marker of inflammation — cut in half for men, and 75% lower in women 
  
  
• LAR (Leptin-Adiponectin Ratio): Higher in the healthy group, a sign of better insulin sensitivity 
  
  
• LDL: Slightly higher in the healthy group, but balanced when adjusting for cholesterol medication usage 

This podcast is not intended as medical advice. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent disease. Always discuss your health condition or any information presented herein with your health care provider.