Hba1c was 5.8, fasting gluc (taken at same time) was 96. my hba1c was 5.7, 5 months ago, & 5.6 a year ago. is this upward trend significant?

Prediabetes.: This sounds like your at the beginning of Prediabetes with A1C>5.7. Prediabetes implies the eventual development of diabetes, which is usually genetically predetermined. So at best, aggressive management of prediabetes can delay the onset of diabetes. That being said, blood sugar measurements can be adequately controlled at times with diet and exercise alone, without medications.