There is a huge variation in 'target ranges' depending upon T1 or T2 and whether the organisation 'setting the target' understands the amount of control gained through dietary measures such as Low Carb. So for UK a diet controlled T2D, 5.9% or lower should be the target.
But you are correct that 6.5% (=45 mmol/mol) is the UK borderline between pre-Diabetes and Diabetes.
The DCUK hba1cunits converter has the borderline between amber and red zones at roughly 10% (=86mmol/mol)
Yep, appreciated. The closest to a normal A1c (if not bang on.) the better..
Speaking souly as a T1 the ideal target up untill (aprox.) 2015? Was 7.5% after some dodgy numbers in my teens & 20s I pulled my self inline & even achieved lower. I was getting 6to .5 on annual reviews & choused at by DSNs exclaiming I must be suffering from "too many hypos." & hand wringing that my "awareness must be going.." Not at all. & I was having no more hypo events than usual..
Sooo, with my focus at the time on preserving my privelidge to drive, thus staying in gainful employment. I let it slip & was tested at the 7.5% mark..?
....... Until about 5 years back. Then they lowered the T1 pedestal for the "pat on the head." "Keep doing what you do." Award.
In short, I'm a little bemused at where the author of the article got the figures from..?
"7.5%" for T1s was an old rule of thumb going back 5 years. Then in 2018 GDPR was implemented? The data protection act was certainly put into practice in the months if not a year leading up to the date.
I would suggest not "fundamentally different" But possibly individual..
Lol, wherever the numbers came from, these sensors have made a difference. (I fund my own.)
I just wish my endo didn't keep postponing my appointment so I can finally get it on script.