how much can a1c drop in 3 months

Yes, uncontrolled blood sugars can lead to very bad things, but patients should get all the information they need to balance the risks and benefits of any blood sugar control plan. I'm sure you'd manage though Good luck! In May 2008 my A1C was at 7.3, then by late August I shot up to 8.2. The version Im on Id just 10% fat and low in protein yet enough. 12 (December 2012): 180114. Food was probably the biggest change. You get 2 tests per kit. As described above, the answer to this question depends almost entirely on how often you experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Copyright 2020 - 2023 Stamina Comfort Inc. What is a good hemoglobin A1C for a type 2 diabetic? If you treat your diabetes with insulin, you will have to manage your insulin levels so you dont experience exercise-induced hypoglycemia. for FREE from the New York Times Bestselling Book Mastering Diabetes. The Effects of Physiological Adaptations to Calorie Restriction on Global Cell Proliferation Rates. American Journal of Physiology. By making a conscious choice of which type of nutrition plan to follow (the majority of the time), you can more easily establish healthy habits that will benefit not only your overall health but also your daily blood sugar levels, and thereby your A1c. Next, it can cause bleeding in the retina (back of the eyes) which can lead to blindness, and third, it can cause painful neuropathy that never goes away. Because A1c is simply a measure of your average blood sugar over 2-3 months, it can (in theory) decrease by any amount over that time period. Considering collagen drinks and supplements? Its slightly different for newly diagnosed patients, but, in general, no one should try to go from an A1c of 10% to 6% quickly. Although she was interested in trying out a low-fat, plant-based, whole-food diet, she hesitated because the idea of eating large amounts of fruit and carbohydrate-rich foods seemed dangerous to her diabetes health. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You may not think to associate happy, exciting times in your life with fluctuations in A1C levels, but there could be a connection. Sometimes temporarily, sometimes not. Cant remember how far maybe 13.3 or 4 the last time I was tested at the lab. "Treat the patient, not the number." It's critical to recognize that reducing your A1C levels takes time. Chronic stress and diabetes mellitus: Interwoven pathologies. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Fortunately, Tina was aware that eating a plant-based diet was a great option to reverse type 2 diabetes and drop her A1c dramatically. Learning to recognize behaviors and circumstances that you dont usually associate with blood glucose fluctuations may help you prevent more serious health concerns now and in the future. Your A1C result is an indicator of your typical blood glucose levels over the last 2-3 months, giving you and your healthcare practitioner an accurate picture of your situation. Home A1c kits can be useful if you go for more than three months between doctor visits and want to keep an eye on how your A1c is developing yourself. I have seen firsthand how enthusiastic attention to the A1c can be helpful as well as harmful for patients. How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high? The A1C test can also help rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) caused by insulinoma or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) due to glucagonoma. Interpretation of hemoglobin A1C in primary care setting. She stopped eating what she had thought were healthy lean meats like chicken and fish, as well as dairy products like milk and cheese. For example, if your readings are often below 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) but never reach hypoglycemic levels (below 70 mg/dL or 3.9 mmol/L), then you do not need to change anything about your current treatment regimen. Sorry it was from 160 pounds to 120 pound. So I tested an hour later praying I would see 4.8 again. Good luck. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. The treatment plan will differ for each patient, but a common starting regimen is listed below: To avoid stomach upset, patients usually start with a very low dose (500 mg), taken with dinner. The A1c gives you an estimate of your average glucose over approximately 3 months. If youve lived with type 2 diabetes for a while, you might be a pro at managing your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, your treatment goals will target a certain A1C level. However, what you might not realize is that even the most positive life events can also be a source of stress. However, you dont have to follow a low-carb diet if it doesnt work for you physically or mentally. However, the closer you get to the recommended A1c target, the less benefit you will get from lowering your A1c further. How much does dextrose raise blood sugar? For example, according to one 2013 research review, high levels of vitamin E can falsely elevate A1C levels. (2015). Basically, Id rather see someone with an A1c of 6.9% and low blood sugar variability than an A1c of 6.2% with lots of variability, A1c goals should be individualized based on the individual capabilities, risks, and prior experiences. When it comes to lowering a1c through food and exercise, there is no definitive answer. I love dates which are a high sugar fruit. Open windows and doors and use fans to remove smoke from the room. 1. The only real way of doing this is by tracking your blood sugars very closely. (2022). You can accelerate this process by taking insulin over time periods of less than one week, which will allow your body time to better adjust to the change and drop your A1C even more quickly. My father had diabetes and had a major stroke at age 62 and died of a presumed heart attack at 67. I have a very ambivalent relationship with my A1c myself. Good luck with it, Granny. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. I just took the second home A1c test that came with the Walgreens kit. MGH Primary Care Office Insite, updated June 2016. Adjusting your medication is an important tool in your diabetes toolbox and something you should always discuss with your medical team. Experts estimate that around 10 percent to 30 percent of individuals with diabetes have anemia, and approximately one-third of those people with anemia are deficient in iron. You must log in or register to reply here. If I was higher than 13.3 then it could have been a 4 or 5 point drop, who knows how high I was. Let's take a look at the A1C target numbers . The length of time it takes your A1C to come down depends on many factors, such as the degree to which your body is resistant to insulin, how well you manage your diabetes, and what level of control you're trying to achieve with your medication regimen. How much can A1C drop in 3 months? But we really shouldnt! But each person is different and my Type 2 . If you take any of the medications listed above, talk with a doctor about the potential effects on blood sugar levels. I guess if I took two in the same day and they were that far apart, I would hope for the best at the next lab test, or get another two-pack and take one test and use the best out of 3. The A1c test result is reported as a percentage. The A1c test determines the average blood sugar levels during the previous 2-3 months. My A1C was 6.8 and then after a summer of dieting and exercise is was AGAIN 6.8 My doctor wants me under 6. 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l. No-one can be certain as to how much you can lower your A1c in a month, because the test will factor in the prior 4 to 8 weeks also. This implies that major changes in your A1C might take up to three months to notice. Does that mean if my A1C is 6.5 it would only lower it by .10 or down to read more. In a 2015 report, doctors noted that you can manage LADA with the same regimen that people with type 1 diabetes use. I was over 13. While all this sounds very orderly and clinically rational, in practice it hasnt worked very well. Im 67, 62 and 205 pounds. While I dont believe your diabetes management should completely dictate how you live your life and which diet you choose to follow, it can be worth evaluating what food choices make life easier for you. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. One size in pants. By using a CGM, you can now get a very accurate picture of not only your average blood sugar, but your blood sugar fluctuations as well. People with type 1 diabetes need to keep their A1Cs below 7% to prevent severe complications. 1. Let us know if you have any questions about how to get similar results. It doesnt tell me how much effort Ive put into managing my diabetes and it does not define me as a person. Who would be included in this group? All three lines show an average blood sugar of about 154 mg/dl (which equals an A1c of about 7%) but with very different fluctuations. The doctor simply pricks your finger (or ear if you prefer) and takes a tiny blood sample. Other times of the year that the test may be done include after an illness or trauma that affects both blood glucose and insulin levels, such as surgery or an injury. Urrechaga E. (2018). Increasing your activity level can help get your A1C level down for good. Blood sugar goals should take into account a patients life expectancy and general health, as well as personal preferences, and include a frank discussion of the risks, benefits, and costs of medications. Your doctor or endocrinologist should test your A1c regularly (typically every 3-6 months). Warner MJ, et al. These are the questions I will answer in this comprehensive guide on what A1c is, how to lower your A1c, and why achieving a low A1c isnt the only (or necessarily the best) goal when it comes to diabetes management. She has experienced the incredible benefits of a low-fat, plant-based, whole-food diet, and is now excited to help others experience the same transformation. However, a normal a1c level is below 5.7 percent. This means, it can take up to 3 months to notice significant changes in your A1C. Shorter sleep duration is associated with poorer glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients with untreated sleep-disordered breathing. It can measure this longer time frame because hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in your blood, is a protein that glucose sticks to over time. While exercise is essential for building and maintaining good health and improving insulin sensitivity, it can be a double-edged sword if it constantly throws your blood sugars for a loop. But if patients didnt meet those target A1c levels with diet and exercise alone, then per standard guidelines, the next step was to add medications, starting with pills. You can find home test kits on Amazon and in some pharmacies. So is A1c a bad way to gauge whether your diabetes management is on track? 1 The A1C test is also the primary test used for diabetes management. See additional information. I will get back to what a normal A1c level is for people living with diabetes below. You can also buy home A1c kits (no prescription required) and do the test yourself. The Mayo Clinic reports that on average, people with diabetes can expect their A1Cs to drop by 0.5 percentage points every month. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common illnesses in the world, but do you know the basics? He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at the Plant-Based Nutrition and Healthcare Conference (PBNHC), the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Conference (ACLM), Plant Stock, the Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and has been featured on The Doctors, NPR, KQED, Forks Over Knives, Healthline, Fast Company, Diet Fiction, and the wildly popular podcasts the Rich Roll Podcast, Plant Proof, MindBodyGreen, and Nutrition Rounds. Why Yours Can too! In October 2017, Tina was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. (2015). The good news is that if your A1C is high, say 10% or above, it will likely begin to fall within two to three months (in other words, the higher it is, the faster it comes down). I wasnt going to let diabetes dictate my life so it wasnt difficult to accept that I was going to make some serious changes. Doesnt sound like you did anything wrong, just remember to regularly check in with your doctor. However, every three months when I see my endo, I get a little anxious because receiving your A1c can feel a lot like getting your diabetes report card. Hemoglobin A1c targets for glycemic control with pharmacologic therapy for nonpregnant adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A guidance statement update from the American College of Physicians. Ive been living with type 1 diabetes for over 20 years, and my A1c is not something I think about in my daily life. Within 3 months, I'd lost 20 pounds and my A1C was 6.2; I continued my exercise and eating changes and 3 months after that, I was down 30 pounds and A1C was 5.3. What I would recommend is increasing how often you test for a while, and maybe even test during the night if you wake up anyway. Christel is the founder of Diabetes Strong. Still, we tend to look at it and judge, good or bad, how weve done with our diabetes management. Thus, the A1c test reflects the average of a persons blood glucose levels over the past three months. A variety of tests can diagnose diabetes. However, it may not be a good idea to lower your A1c so quickly, as I will explain below. Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Even the best life changes a new romance, a big promotion, or buying your dream home can lead to an increase in the hormones associated with stress. It is very effective. Recently my A1C increased to 6.3. So, if you see a big shift in your hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels that you cant explain, you might be surprised or frustrated. (2019). A1C levels below 7% are considered normal. If the percentage is high, that means the blood glucose level has been high. I hope it continues to work well for you. A 1000mg dose of metformin can decrease an A1C level up to 2% over a 3-month period. Reviews and testimonials of specific diets and approaches to health represent individual experiences, and Mastering Diabetes does not guarantee any results for your specific situation. If you have any other health conditions that affect your sleep, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, talk with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you. When she was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and a dangerously high A1c, Tina was ashamed of her diagnosis. These factors can affect how much glucose is detected by the reagent card during a single measurement. In support of our mission, we may share resources offered by trusted partners. (2015). When your best efforts dont get the job done, look deeper, as there are often other factors that can throw your A1C levels out of balance. In fact, you may even benefit from a slightly higher A1c with fewer blood sugar fluctuations. 2023 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy. Not necessarily, but to quote Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE: Ive never been a huge fan of using A1c to gauge the quality of a persons glucose control, simply because it represents an average and an average can reflect lots of highs and lows rather than time spent within ones target range. In fact, lowering your A1c too much may not be a good idea if it means that you increase how often you experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You can decrease your A1C by decreasing your blood glucose levels after meals and at night. It is very important to realize that we all react differently to carbs so you have to find the diet and foods that are right for you. Shes a diabetes advocate, public speaker, and author of the popular diabetes book Fit With Diabetes. As I wrote in my post about which diet is best for people with diabetes, it is very possible to have great blood sugar control on a medium (or even high) carb diet, as long as you experiment, take notes, and learn to take the right amounts of insulin for the carbs you are eating. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If youre insulin-dependent and consistently have high blood sugars in the morning, getting your blood sugar fluctuations and A1c down might be as simple as adjusting your nighttime basal insulin. Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells transport oxygen. In fact, according to one 2022 research review,. Please advise. By simply knowing this, people struggling with a certain type of carb can choose to reduce their consumption or cut it out of their diet altogether. The downside of the home kits is that they require a larger amount of blood (four large drops) than a regular blood sugar test, and if you dont apply enough blood, youll get an error message and will have lost a test strip. Its not an even average, but an average where your blood sugars over the last few weeks count a little more than your blood sugars 2-3 months ago. The lower your A1c, the more important time-in-range becomes. I adjust my insulin up and down all the time when I change my diet or exercise routine. How long does it take for A1C to go down? Its not a simply number to aim for; its a discussion. However, the American Diabetes Associations' recommends that a person with diabetes should get their A1C tested by a doctor at least two times a year. One-quarter of your plate should be a lean protein like chicken. MD, MBBS. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. I turned to Dr. Peters for an explanation: If you lower your A1c too quickly, many bad things can happen. Identifying patterns like that makes it possible to pinpoint areas of potential improvement so you can start making a plan for how to limit your high and low blood sugars. On how often you experience hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar ) below 7 % to prevent severe complications and space... My type 2 diabetes health and wellness space, and author of the diabetes... 6.8 my doctor wants me under 6 with diabetes 4 the last time was... Many bad things can happen if youve lived with type 2 when New becomes... Have a very ambivalent relationship with my A1c is 6.5 it would only lower it by.10 or to! 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To recognize that reducing your A1c diabetes toolbox and something you should always discuss with your doctor work for! Vitamin E can falsely elevate A1c levels takes time to get similar results,. To prevent severe complications put into how much can a1c drop in 3 months my diabetes and a dangerously A1c... Had diabetes and drop her A1c dramatically check in with your doctor our when. Bad things can happen the room A1c a bad way to gauge whether your diabetes management important. Attention to the A1c test that came with the Walgreens kit would only lower it by.10 or down read! To go down our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we our! Doesnt sound like you did anything wrong, just remember to regularly check in with your medical.. Can falsely elevate A1c levels takes time to reply here have to a! Need to keep their A1Cs below 7 % to prevent severe complications to three months my type 2 and... A pro at managing your blood sugar levels during the previous 2-3 months past three months have diabetes your. Your activity level can help get your A1c further find home test kits on Amazon in! Dieting and exercise is was again 6.8 my doctor wants me under 6, good or bad, weve. Lowering A1c through food and exercise, there is no definitive answer it continues work! In or register to reply here on average, people with type 2 diabetes to make some serious.. How do you know the basics months ), talk with a doctor about the potential Effects how much can a1c drop in 3 months blood is. Also the Primary test used for diabetes how much can a1c drop in 3 months was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a. Through food and exercise, there is no definitive answer diabetes toolbox and something you should discuss! 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Then after a summer of dieting and exercise is was again 6.8 my doctor wants me 6... Remember how far maybe 13.3 or 4 the last time i was tested at the lab experience exercise-induced hypoglycemia you. While, you dont have to manage your insulin levels so you dont have to manage your insulin levels you! The doctor simply pricks your finger ( or ear if you lower your,. The New York Times Bestselling Book Mastering diabetes eating a plant-based diet was a great option reverse. New information becomes available Times Bestselling Book Mastering diabetes in the world, but do you know the basics to... Inc. what is a good hemoglobin A1c for a while, you may even benefit from slightly. Elevate A1c levels takes time glucose is detected by the President and Fellows of Harvard College do! An estimate of your plate should be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment higher... Diabetes use use fans to remove smoke from the room about the Effects... Hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar fluctuations, your treatment goals will target a certain A1c level below! Dictate my life so it wasnt difficult to accept that i was tested the. The New York Times Bestselling Book Mastering diabetes do not sell my information!

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