Can i lower my a1c

The A1C test results provide insight into how your treatment plan is working, and how it might be modified to better control the condition.

Often your blood sample is sent out to a lab for your results; though some doctors can use a point-of-care A1C test, where a finger stick can be done in the office, with results available in about 10 minutes. Such an in-office test can be used to monitor your condition. Any results pointing to a change in your health should be confirmed by conventional lab tests. As glucose enters the bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin, or glycates.

Dodell says. An A1C between 5. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the A1C is at or over 6. For many people with type 2 diabetes, the goal is to lower A1C levels to a healthier percentage. Your A1C goal is specific to you. Several factors come into play, such as your age, how advanced the diabetes is, and any other heath conditions you have. A common A1C goal for people with diabetes is less than 7 percent, Dodell says. If you can keep your A1C number below your goal, you help to reduce the risk of diabetes complications, such as nerve damage and eye problems.

Your A1C score is a valuable part of the diabetes control picture, Dodell says, but it is not the only indicator of your health. Someone who has wide fluctuations in blood sugar levels which is more common among patients who are taking insulin may have an A1C at goal because the average over two to three months is good. But the day-to-day fluctuations can lower your quality of life and increase your risk of complications, he cautions.

Diabetes can be a tough condition to manage, Dodell says. He tells his patients to view diabetes management like a job. It takes work, but the time and effort you put into it can result in good control and an improved quality of life. Making these healthy changes can help you improve your day-to-day blood sugar management and lower your A1C:.

But there are ways to manage your condition. An early diagnosis helps you get treatment before complications can occur. If you already have diabetes and are taking medications that can cause low blood sugar levels, find out your optimal levels.

Eating the right foods is essential to lowering your A1C, so you want to make a plan and stick to it. There are a few important strategies for this:. Here are a few tips to avoid overdoing it:. It can be helpful to maintain a food diary or use an app to keep track of your carb intake. Starting out, you may have to take some time looking at nutrition labels, but with practice, this will become a quick and easy process and will help you get a sense of which foods are most carb-heavy so you can adjust accordingly.

Also called the Diabetes Plate Method , the idea here is to simplify your mealtime calculations while eating the right foods in the right proportions. Set yourself up for success. Experts say even 5 percent can make a difference. This means if someone at pounds adjusts their exercise and food habits and works their way down to over a few months, the resulting health benefits can be worthwhile. Talk with your doctor about what weight loss goal makes sense for you and how best to work toward it.

Increase your activity level to get your A1C level down for good. Start with a minute walk after lunch. Build up to minutes of extra activity a week. Get confirmation from your doctor first before you increase your activity level. Being active is a key part of reducing the risk of developing diabetes. Remember: Any exercise is better than no exercise.

Even getting up for 2 minutes every hour has been shown to help reduce the risk of diabetes. The medications that lower fasting blood sugars will also lower your A1C level.

Some medications primarily affect your blood sugars after a meal, which are also called postprandial blood sugars. These medications include sitagliptin Januvia , repaglinide Prandin , and others. Some of those to consider include aloe vera and chromium. A review of studies found that it may lower A1C levels by around 1 percent. A analysis of prior studies suggests chromium, a mineral found in vegetables like potatoes and mushrooms, as well as oysters, can lower A1C by more than half a percent in people with type 2 diabetes.

However, a review of previous research found that chromium had no impact on glycemic control in those who do not have diabetes. Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Health Topics. Health Tools. Type 2 Diabetes. By Athena Philis-Tsimikas, M. For Type 2 and You. Reviewed: March 15, The A1C blood test is a simple test that analyzes your glucose blood sugar levels by measuring the amount of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells; when glucose enters the blood, it attaches to the hemoglobin.

The result is glycated hemoglobin.