How can people manage their A1C levels?

Everyone, especially people with diabetes, may benefit from a balanced, nutritious diet that is low in sugar, salt, and fat. This may include fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole foods. Monitoring carbohydrate intake can help a person manage their glucose levels.

High A1C levels are a risk for diabetes and other complications. However, ideal and dangerous A1C levels can vary slightly between each individual. Lifestyle changes can help manage A1C levels.

The A1C test, also known as the hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C, glycated hemoglobin, or glycohemoglobin test, measures the amount of sugar attached to hemoglobin in the blood.

Hemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells (RBCs), and sugar naturally attaches to it. However, as people with higher blood sugar levels have more sugar-coated hemoglobin, it is a useful test to help check and monitor diabetes status.

As higher A1C levels are often associated with diabetes complications, it is important to reach and maintain target A1C results. An individual’s personal A1C goal will depend on many factors, including age and any other medical conditions. Although it is an important tool for managing diabetes, testing A1C levels does not replace other strategies, such as regular blood sugar testing at home.

A person can work toward lowering and maintaining their A1C level by following their treatment plan, getting regular physical exercise, and taking steps to lose weight, if the doctor has advised doing so.

In this article, we discuss healthy and concerning A1C levels, the possible complications of high levels, and strategies to reduce A1C levels.

What are dangerous levels?

A1C test resultsTrusted Source represent how well the body is maintaining blood glucose levels by showing the average percentage of sugar-bound hemoglobin in a blood sample. A higher A1C level suggests a higher riskTrusted Source of diabetes and its complications.

When discussing A1C levels, a doctor may also refer to estimated average glucose, or eAG. The eAG corresponds to A1C, but it appears as milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), as with blood sugar. Both A1CTrusted Source and eAG refer to a person’s average 3-month blood glucose levels.

A1C value eAG value Potential diagnosis
5.6% or less 117 mg/dl or less – Normal
5.7–6.4% 117–137 mg/dl – Prediabetes
6.5% or more 137 mg/dl – Diabetes

However, A1C level recommendations can vary among individuals due to a number of factors. What may be high for one person might be within range for another person.

For example, people with more advanced diabetes will have higher A1C targets than those without diabetes. Various underlying conditions, includingTrusted Source blood disorders, can also have an effect, as can potentially modifiable factors, such as stress, medications, and lifestyle changes.

A person with an A1C level indicating prediabetes may wish to consider making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a well-balanced diet and staying active, to help manage or even reverse the condition before it progresses to type 2 diabetes.

If a person has a higher A1C level, suggesting diabetes, it is advisable for them to contact a doctor. The doctor will be able to run further diagnostic tests to confirm the person’s diabetes status.

The A1C goal for most people with diabetes is 7% or lessTrusted Source. However, personal targets can vary, and a diabetes care team may consider other factors to help a person set their own individual goals.

If a person with diabetes has an A1C test result that is much higher than their set target, a doctor can help advise lifestyle and medication changes to lower their A1C level.

What is A1C, and what does it measure?

The A1C test is a blood test that measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. In particular, it measures the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood with an attached molecule of glucose.

When glucose attaches to hemoglobin, experts refer to the resulting compound as glycosylated hemoglobin. The name of the test derives from the fact that about 95–98% of the hemoglobin present in the body is type A1. Type A1 hemoglobin has subtypes, including A1C. As this is the most abundant subtype, it is a good marker for glucose control.

The test uses a 3-month average because RBCs typically live for about 3 months. Therefore, this timeframe reflects the sugar exposure to the cells over that time. The test does not require any specific preparations, so a person does not need to fast prior to the test, and a doctor can perform it at any time of the day.

How the test works

The A1C test estimates the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. The test is able to measure this by identifying the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood.

If there is more glucose present in the blood, more glucose is available to attach to hemoglobin. Therefore, if a person has a high percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin, it indicates that they have had high blood sugar for an extended period.

Complications of high A1C

A high A1C level can be concerning, as it may indicate that an individual has a higher risk of diabetes complications. For those without a diabetes diagnosis, it suggests that, without interventions, they may develop the condition. For individuals living with diabetes, it may indicate that their current treatment plan is not effective and that they should contact a doctor.

Potential complications that can result from high blood sugar levels includeTrusted Source:

kidney disease
eye disease
stroke and cardiovascular disease
metabolic syndrome
neuropathy

Setting A1C goals

As many factors can affect a suitable A1C range, there is no standardized approach when it comes to setting A1C goals. A diabetes healthcare team can help provide an individual with a target level that accounts for various factors, including the current A1C value and the date of the next test.

If the test result is already within a healthy range, the goal should be to maintain that. However, if a person enters the higher ranges, a doctor can suggest changes to their goals and treatment plans. They can help the person determine a reasonable target and the best strategy to achieve that goal..

Tips to lower A1C

If a person’s A1C level is above their target, a doctor can provide suggestions to help lower it and reduce the risk of potential complications. A person should discuss any drastic lifestyle changes with a doctor before making them.

Suggestions to help lower A1C levels may include:

Reviewing medication: This may involve changing to a different medication or increasing the current dosage. It is also important to ensure that a person is correctly following their treatment plan.

Regular physical exercise: Physical activity is good for general health, and as the body requires glucose to exercise, it can be a beneficial way to lower blood sugar levels.

Healthy diet: A balanced and nutritious diet can help with managing sugar levels. Additionally, it can help people achieve any weight loss goals.

Stopping smoking: Smoking has many potential health risks, and quitting smoking may also help improve blood flow.

Diabetes education courses: Some people may benefit from attending educational courses and learning strategies to manage their sugar levels more effectively.

Summary
An A1C test is a diagnostic tool that measures blood sugar levels over the last 3 months. It can help doctors identify people at risk of developing diabetes and monitor the effectiveness of treatments in those living with the condition.

It measures the percentage of hemoglobin in red blood cells that has an attached glucose molecule. If a person has high blood sugar, more glucose is available to attach to hemoglobin. This means that individuals with high blood sugar will have a higher percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin and an increased risk of potential complications.

People can work toward lowering their A1C levels by implementing different strategies, such as following their current treatment plan, getting regular exercise, and taking steps to lose weight, if necessary.