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The A1C test is a blood test that measures how well your body is controlling your sugar levels. It counts the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in your blood, which is the average amount of glucose that has coated the hemoglobin over the last three months.
The goal for most people with diabetes is to have their A1C levels under 7%, but personal targets can vary. Your doctor or diabetes care team may consider other factors, such as your underlying health conditions, to help you set an A1C target that is right for you.
If your A1C levels are higher than 6%, you have a high risk of developing diabetes. There are two interventions that can help reduce your risk: lifestyle changes and using the drug metformin.
When your A1C level is higher, it is considered uncontrolled diabetes, and you need to make lifestyle changes to prevent complications. These include eating healthy, being active, and managing your stress.
In this article, we will show you what to do if your A1C levels are high.
What Are High A1C Levels?
High A1C levels are a sign of diabetes and can lead to complications. They increase your risk of kidney damage, vision loss, and nerve damage. If you have diabetes, you need to keep your A1C under 7%. If it is higher, it increases the risk of other complications.
The best way to prevent or delay these complications is to keep your A1C level as low as possible. You can achieve this goal through diet, exercise, medication, and regular testing.
Your A1C can be high for a number of reasons, including a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and stress. Your healthcare provider will determine what’s causing your high A1C and suggest ways to help you reach a lower level.
What to Do When Your A1C Levels Are High? Next Steps and Treatment Options
Your A1C test tells your doctor how well you’ve been managing your diabetes. It’s also a great way to help prevent prediabetes from developing into full-blown diabetes. If your A1C levels are high, you need to take these steps.
Step 1: Visit Your Doctor
It’s important to visit your doctor when your A1C levels are high so you can discuss what’s happening and how to improve your health. He or she will help you find a treatment plan that works for you. He or she may also ask you about your symptoms and check your blood pressure and cholesterol. Your doctor may also recommend a blood screening for certain conditions.
Step 2: Discuss Your High A1C Level
If your A1C level is high, it means that your blood sugar levels are not well controlled. This is why it is important to discuss your A1C results with your doctor so that they can determine what steps you should take next.
Step 3: Improve Diabetes Management Plan
The A1C test is an excellent way to gauge your progress toward controlling your diabetes. It measures your blood sugar over a period of several months, and the results can be used to improve your diabetes management plan. Depending on your current A1C level, your doctor will make necessary improvements to your diabetes treatment plan.
Step 4: Make Necessary Diet Changes
If you have high A1C, there are a few diet changes you can make to improve your overall health. For starters, it’s important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re packed with vitamins and minerals that can lower your A1C naturally, according to research.
Step 5: Make Necessary Lifestyle Changes
Having a high A1C level can lead to serious health problems. That’s why it’s important to make the necessary lifestyle changes when your A1C levels are soaring. Getting regular exercise and making the right diet choices are key to managing your blood sugars.
Step 6: Start or Change Diabetes Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. Regardless of the medications you take, it’s important to take them consistently. If you miss your doses, your A1C level can creep up, which is not a healthy situation. Depending on your current A1C level, your doctor may either prescribe a new medication or will make changes to the dosage.
Step 7: Consider Insulin Therapy
When lifestyle changes and medications don’t keep your A1C levels in the target range, insulin therapy may be recommended. The goal of insulin therapy is to improve blood sugar control and prevent health complications, such as eye, kidney, and heart disease. Insulin therapy works by replacing the insulin that your body doesn’t make or use well. It also can help your body absorb glucose from food and move it into your cells to provide energy.
Medicines for Lowering A1C Levels
Ideally, you want your A1C level to be below 7 percent to reduce your risk for long-term health issues associated with diabetes. However, it takes time to lower your A1C. Here are some medicines for lowering A1C levels. Healthreporter wrote insightful information about the A1C chart.
Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone is a drug that lowers blood glucose levels by increasing cellular glucose uptake and hepatic sensitivity to insulin. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes and can be combined with other oral medications or insulin.
Invokana
Invokana (canagliflozin) is a type of medication that works to lower A1C levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a group of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, which block the SGLT2 protein in the kidneys and promote the loss of sugar from the body in the urine.
Insulin Glargine
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that works quickly. It helps to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It also helps prevent a serious illness called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and can treat hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS).
Metformin
Metformin is a common medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It works by lowering blood sugar levels.
Tips for Lowering A1C
One of the most common tools for diagnosing and managing diabetes is an A1C test. This test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. If your A1C is high, you may also want to start a plan to lower it. Here are some top tips to help you on your journey.
- Start an Exercise Plan
- Eat a Balanced Diet
- Follow the Diabetes Treatment Plan
- Check Your Blood Sugar Levels
- Weight Management
Conclusion
Your A1C is an important measure of your overall health, and getting your A1C below 7% can help you prevent serious complications from developing, such as heart disease and vision loss. The best way to achieve your goal is to make a diabetes management plan and stick with it. You might be surprised to know that it takes some time and effort to achieve your A1C goals, but the results are well worth the effort. Diet and lifestyle changes, along with medication, can also help lower your A1C.
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