In case you have diabetes, even then it is very likely that if you visit the physician, they are going to want to carry out an A1C check on you personally. They’ll then provide you a% number. Thus, what is a normal A1C level? What do you need to be planning for? That’s what we would like to check on this post.
What is a Normal A1C?
This depends on if you are experiencing diabetes or maybe not.
If you are a diabetes sufferer, then a standard A1C for you’re very likely to be around the 7 percent mark. When it is too far more than that, then you aren’t handling all your symptoms that nicely.
Diagnosing Prediabetes or Diabetes:
| Normal | Below 5.7% |
|---|---|
| Prediabetes | 5.7% to 6.4% |
| Diabetes | 6.5% or above |
Anything between 6 percent and 7% could be regarded as prediabetes. Consequently, if you are in the risk category for diabetes, then odds are that your physician might want to carry out the A1C for you personally.
A1C Level For Diabetes:
A normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes. Within the 5.7% to 6.4% prediabetes range, the higher your A1C, the greater your risk is for developing type 2 diabetes.
6 Proven Ways to Lower Your A1C Level
Here are six proven ways which can help you in reducing your A1C Level. Please read below:
1. Prepare Yourself For Following A Daily Routine
This is the very first step in fighting with reducing the A1C level. You should need to prepare yourself for following a daily routine plan. You need to do these things daily:
- Doing Exercise – For Losing Weight
- Coping With Stress
- Taking A Healthy Diet
Planning will also help you set goals. Form small steps you can take to achieve your goals in the upcoming time.
2. Create A Good Diabetes Management Plan
If you have diabetes, then you should need to create a diabetes management plan with the help of your doctor.
This diabetes plan should include:
- Some Emergency Contacts Like – Your doctor’s contact number, Ambulance & Online help
- Medical instructions
- Medication list you should follow daily
- Regular checkup for blood glucose levels
- Information on how often to test
- Plan on how to correct low blood sugars
3. Track What You Eat & Follow Your Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
Skipping meals, letting too much time pass between meals, or eating too much or too often can cause your blood sugar levels to fall and rise too much.
Tracking what you eat makes you aware of foods and behaviors you can change to decrease your A1C. This can also help you monitor your carbohydrate intake, which is important for managing blood sugar.
4. Set a Goal For Weight Loss
Losing weight is important if you’re overweight. But you can’t manage diabetes with fad diets. Lifelong changes are key. Eating healthy, whole foods low in fat and calories that work with your lifestyle will help you make a change for life.
Keep a fat and calorie counter to help you make smart choices. Even losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight decreases chances of getting diabetes by 58 percent. Small amounts make a big difference.
5. Follow the Diabetes Treatment Plan Your Healthcare Team Recommends
Diabetes treatment is very individualized, noted an article published in May 2014 in Diabetes Spectrum. After all, factors including how long you’ve lived with the disease, your socioeconomic status, and any other conditions you’re living with can play a role in the best treatment approach for you.
Your healthcare team will help you determine the steps you need to take to successfully manage diabetes. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes, such as starting a very-low-carbohydrate diet or beginning a new exercise regimen, and especially before taking any medication or insulin changes.
6. Check Your Blood Sugar Levels as Your Doctor Has Directed
Work with your doctor to determine if, and how often, you should check your blood sugar. You may be tempted to pick up an A1C home testing kit, but Dowdell does not recommend doing that.
As he mentions, day-to-day fluctuations in your blood sugar can be masked by an A1C result that is at your goal level. Instead, if you have a personal continuous glucose monitor, such as a Dexcom G6 or a Freestyle Libre (or can get one from your healthcare provider), Dowdell recommends checking your “time in range” to see if you are at the optimal level.
For many people that is 70 to 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (3.9 to 10 mmol/L), according to ADA guidelines. Having your A1C checked by your healthcare provider every three to six months is sufficient, he adds.
Conclusion:
Understanding your A1C levels is an important part of your overall diabetes management. If you have any questions about your A1C levels or what they mean, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.
