My fasting glucose was 70 mg/dL, but HbA1c was 5.7%. After 3–4 months of intermittent fasting/OMAD, HbA1c was still 5.8%. I was on mirtazapine 60 mg. My CBC showed Hb 14.9, RBC 5.89 million, MCV 76.4, MCH 25.3, RDW 16. Iron studies: serum iron 93 µg/dL, TIBC 305 µg/dL, transferrin saturation 30.5%, ferritin 88 ng/mL. Could this HbA1c be falsely elevated due to possible thalassemia trait or other RBC factors, or does this suggest true prediabetes despite a fasting glucose of 70?