How should I interpret a glycated hemoglobin of 5.7 %, low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol of 107.8 mg/dL, platelet count of 154 ×10⁹/L, and 25‑hydroxyvitamin D level of 8.1 ng/mL?

Laboratory Results Interpretation

Your results reveal prediabetes (A1C 5.7%), borderline-elevated LDL cholesterol, normal platelet count, and severe vitamin D deficiency that requires immediate supplementation.

Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C): 5.7%

• This value places you in the prediabetes range (5.7-6.4%), indicating increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes 1
• Your A1C of 5.7% is at the lower threshold of prediabetes, with approximately 29.5% of individuals having values ≥5.8% in preventive health programs 1
• The inverse relationship between vitamin D and A1C suggests that correcting your severe vitamin D deficiency may help reduce your A1C values 1, 2

Clinical Action Required:

• Lifestyle modifications including weight management, dietary changes, and increased physical activity
• Recheck A1C in 3-6 months to monitor progression
• Addressing your vitamin D deficiency may reduce risk of elevated A1C values by approximately 26% 1

LDL Cholesterol: 107.8 mg/dL

• This is borderline-elevated (optimal <100 mg/dL, borderline 100-129 mg/dL)
• Higher A1C values are directly associated with elevated LDL cholesterol levels, making you at increased risk for atherogenic lipid profiles 3
• Your prediabetic state (A1C 5.7%) increases the likelihood of worsening LDL levels if glycemic control deteriorates 3

Clinical Action Required:

• Consider initiating or intensifying lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise)
• Cardiovascular risk assessment to determine if statin therapy is warranted
• The combination of prediabetes and borderline-elevated LDL increases overall cardiovascular risk 3

Platelet Count: 154 ×10⁹/L

• This is within normal range (150-400 ×10⁹/L)
• No clinical action required for this parameter

Vitamin D: 8.1 ng/mL

• This represents severe vitamin D deficiency (deficiency defined as <20 ng/mL, with <10 ng/mL being severe)
• This critically low level is associated with elevated A1C values and reduced HDL cholesterol 1, 2
• Vitamin D deficiency at this level is an independent risk factor for hyperglycemia 4
• Improving vitamin D status by 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) or more reduces the likelihood of achieving elevated A1C values by 26% 1

Clinical Action Required:

• Immediate high-dose vitamin D supplementation (typically 50,000 IU weekly for 8-12 weeks, then maintenance dosing)
• Recheck 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in 3 months
• Target level should be ≥30 ng/mL for optimal metabolic health 1
• Correcting this deficiency may improve both your A1C and lipid profile 1, 2

Integrated Risk Assessment

Common pitfall to avoid: Do not treat these values in isolation. Your severe vitamin D deficiency likely contributes to both your prediabetic state and borderline lipid abnormalities 1, 2. The combination of prediabetes (A1C 5.7%) and borderline-elevated LDL creates a synergistic cardiovascular risk that exceeds either abnormality alone 3.

Priority interventions:

1. Aggressive vitamin D repletion (most modifiable risk factor with potential to improve multiple parameters) 1
2. Lifestyle modifications for prediabetes prevention
3. Cardiovascular risk stratification to guide LDL management decisions
4. Follow-up testing in 3 months for vitamin D and A1C