
Lifestyle modifications for those with an A1c of 12.0 include the following:
- Increase exercise
- Reduce calories
- Monitor carbohydrates
- Limit alcohol
- Stop smoking
- Lose weight
- Alleviate stress
Full Answer
How to lower your A1c score?
10.1 – 12.0. An A1C between 10.1 to 12.0 indicates diabetes. Not only that, but your blood sugar is severely elevated. This is a dangerous condition that puts you at risk of kidney failure, stroke, nerve damage, blindness and heart attack. The amount of glucose attached to your hemoglobin has thickened your blood.
What are the guidelines for the A1c test?
A1C test results are reported as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. The A1C test can also be used for diagnosis, based on the following guidelines: If your A1C level is between 5.7 and less than 6.5%, your levels have been in the prediabetes range.
Is a 12 A1c high for a diabetic?
My initial a1c was over 12 and after 4 months down to 5.4 through low carb eating, increased exercise and metformin. It can be done, but everyone is unique and takes their own path to living healthy. GlucernaBrand Posts: 486 April 2014 I love all these inspiring stories!
Is it possible to recover from high A1c's?
Feb 19, 2022 · Lowering A1C While diabetes complications are severe, there are ways to manage blood sugar to lower your A1C levels and prevent them. With the help of medical professionals, a treatment plan, which includes medication and lifestyle changes, will help lower your levels and avoid complications. Healthy Eating and Meal Tracking

What does a hemoglobin A1C of 12 mean?
How do you treat A1C 12?
- Make a food plan. Eating the right foods is essential to lowering your A1C, so you want to make a plan and stick to it. ...
- Measure portion sizes. ...
- Track carbs. ...
- Plate method. ...
- Have a realistic weight loss goal. ...
- Exercise plan. ...
- Take medications. ...
- Supplements and vitamins.
Is 12.1 a high A1C?
...
A1C and self-monitoring.
A1C level | Estimated average blood sugar (glucose) level |
---|---|
12% | 298 mg/dL (16.5 mmol/L) |
Is hba1c 12 normal?
How can I get my A1c down quickly?
What is the miracle fruit that cures diabetes?
What is the average blood sugar for A1C of 14?
A1C level | Estimated average blood sugar level |
---|---|
11 percent | 269 mg/dL |
12 percent | 298 mg/dL |
13 percent | 326 mg/dL |
14 percent | 355 mg/dL |
What if my A1C is 14?
What A1C is uncontrolled diabetes?
Can HbA1c be reversed?
What foods will lower A1c levels?
- Non-Starchy Vegetables. Non-starchy vegetables are one of the best foods you can eat as a diabetic. ...
- Leafy Greens. ...
- Fatty Fish. ...
- Nuts and Eggs. ...
- Seeds. ...
- Natural Fats. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Cinnamon and Turmeric.
Can prediabetes reversed?
How to prepare for A1C test?
How to Prepare for Your A1C Test. The test is done in a doctor’s office or a lab using a sample of blood from a finger stick or from your arm. You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your A1C test. However, ask your doctor if other tests will be done at the same time and if you need to prepare for them.
What is the normal A1C level?
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. Managing Diabetes.
Why is A1C important?
It’s one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, and is also the main test to help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Higher A1C levels are linked to diabetes complications, so reaching and maintaining your individual A1C goal is really important if you have diabetes.
What does A1C mean?
The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin.
What to do if you don't have symptoms but your test shows you have diabetes?
If you don’t have symptoms but your result shows you have prediabetes or diabetes, get a second test on a different day to confirm the result. If your test shows you have diabetes, ask your doctor to refer you to diabetes self-management education and support services so you can have the best start in managing your diabetes.
Can you get your A1C tested if you have diabetes?
Get your A1C tested in addition to—not instead of—regular blood sugar self-testing if you have diabetes.
Does A1C replace blood sugar?
A1C: Just Part of the Toolkit. A1C is an important tool for managing diabetes, but it doesn’t replace regular blood sugar testing at home. Blood sugar goes up and down throughout the day and night, which isn’t captured by your A1C.
What is the A1C test?
Doctors use the A1c test to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes. After diagnosis, A1C scores are used to measure how well a person is managing their diabetes. The A1C test is also known as the glycated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C, Hb1C and HbA1C.
What happens if you leave your A1C untreated?
Left untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, blindness, kidney disease and amputation. Click on your A1c score to learn more about what your A1c reading means and what you can do about it.
What does A1C 4.0 mean?
Congratulations. A1c readings between 4.0 and 5.6 indicate that the level of glucose in your blood is normal.
What does 6.2 mean on A1C?
An A1c of 6.2 means that 6.2% of the hemoglobin in your blood are saturated with sugar. When a certain percentage of your hemoglobin is coated with glucose, it indicates that ...
What does it mean when your hemoglobin is coated with glucose?
When a certain percentage of your hemoglobin is coated with glucose, it indicates that the insulin hormone in your body isn’t properly removing the glucose from your blood.
What does A1C between 6.5 and 10.0 mean?
An A1C between 6.5 and 10.0 indicates diabetes.
Can prediabetes cause kidney damage?
While there are no signs or symptoms of prediabetes, the damage diabetes can have on your heart, blood vessels and kidneys may have already begun. This doesn’t automatically mean that you will get diabetes. However, you should focus on reducing your A1c score and improving your overall health. Click on your A1c score to learn more about ...
What does A1C mean in blood test?
Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (glycated). Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells transport oxygen. The higher your A1C level is, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications.
What is the A1C test?
Overview. The A1C test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you're living with diabetes, the test is also used to monitor how well you're managing blood sugar levels. The A1C test is also called the glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test.
How to diagnose type 1 diabetes?
To confirm a diabetes diagnosis, your doctor will likely look at the results of two blood tests given on different days — either two A1C tests or the A1C test plus another test, such as a fasting or random blood sugar test.
What is the measurement of sugar in a blood test?
Your self-monitoring device reports your blood sugar levels in milligrams of sugar per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles of sugar per liter (mmol/L). The measurement shows your blood sugar level at the time you do the test. Therefore, there is some variability throughout the day based on eating, exercise, stress and other factors.
What is the most common form of hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin variants. The most common form of the oxygen-transporting hemoglobin protein is called hemoglobin A . The presence of other variants of the protein may result in inaccurate A1C test results. Hemoglobin variants are more common among people of African, Mediterranean or Southeast Asian descent.
What is the A1C level of prediabetes?
5.7% to 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes. For most adults living with diabetes, an A1C level of less than 7% is a common treatment target. Lower or higher targets may be appropriate for some people.
How to take A1C blood?
During the A1C test, a member of your health care team takes a blood sample by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm or pricking your finger tip with a small, pointed lancet. If the blood is taken from a vein, the blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis.
What happens if your A1C is high?
The higher the A1C, the higher your blood glucose levels have been. If your A1C falls into the range of prediabetes, you should talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best way to prevent type 2 diabetes because prediabetes is a known risk factor of type 2 diabetes. 2 In general, within the prediabetes range, the higher the A1C, the greater the risk of diabetes.
What is the percentage of A1C?
An A1C result is presented as a percentage, which reflects the percentage of glucose and hemoglobin that are bound together . For example, the A1C level where there are five glycated hemoglobin out of 100 hemoglobin would be 5%.
What is A1C in 2021?
Do-Eun Lee, MD. Published on May 06, 2021. A1C is a blood test that determines the body's average blood sugar level over the past two to three months . A1C is also referred to as the hemoglobin A1C, HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin, or glycohemoglobin test. In the body, a protein called hemoglobin transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
How to lower A1C?
With the help of medical professionals, a treatment plan, which includes medication and lifestyle changes, will help lower your levels and avoid complications.
How to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics?
When you exercise , your muscles need and use sugar, which lowers the levels in the blood.
What is the cause of plaque on the wall of the artery?
Too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Also, known as bad cholesterol, this can lead to the formation of plaque on damaged artery walls.
What is the most common type of heart disease?
The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which is caused by the buildup of plaque in the walls of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. 5 Plaque is made of cholesterol deposits, which make the inside of arteries narrow and decrease blood flow.
How accurate are A1C tests?
People with diabetes used to depend only on urine tests or daily finger sticks to measure their blood sugars. These tests are accurate, but only in the moment. As an overall measurement of blood sugar control, they’re very limited. This is because blood sugar can vary wildly depending on the time of day, activity levels, and even hormone changes. Some people may have high blood sugars at 3 a.m. and be totally unaware of it. Once A1C tests became available in the 1980s, they became an important tool in controlling diabetes. A1C tests measure average blood glucose over the past two to three months. So even if you have a high fasting blood sugar, your overall blood sugars may be normal, or vice versa. A normal fasting blood sugar may not eliminate the possibility of type 2 diabetes. This is why A1C tests are now being used for diagnosis and screening of prediabetes. Because it doesn’t require fasting, the test can be given as part of an overall blood screening. The A1C test is also known as the hemoglobin A1C test or HbA1C test. Other alternate names include the glycosylated hemoglobin test, glycohemoglobin test, and glycated hemoglobin test. A1C measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached to it. Hemoglobin is a protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Hemoglobin cells are constantly dying and regenerating, but they have a lifespan of approximately three months. Glucose attaches, or glycates, to hemoglobin, so the record of how much glucose is attached to your hemoglobin also lasts for about three months. If there’s too much glucose attached to the hemoglobin cells, you’ll have a high A1C. If the amount of glucose is normal, your A1C will be normal. The test is effective because of the lifespan of the hemogl Continue reading >>
What does a high A1C mean?
An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes . A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.
How to diagnose type 2 diabetes?
Print Diagnosis To diagnose type 2 diabetes, you'll be given a: Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes. Normal levels are below 5.7 percent. If the A1C test isn't available, or if you have certain conditions — such as if you're pregnant or have an uncommon form of hemoglobin (known as a hemoglobin variant) — that can make the A1C test inaccurate, your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes: Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Blood sugar values are expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Regardless of when you last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher suggests diabetes, especially when coupled with any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination and extreme thirst. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance test. For this test, you fast overnight, and the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then you drink a sugary liquid, and blood s Continue reading >>
What is the blood test for HBA1C?
Hemoglobin A1c Test (hba1c) Hemoglobin A1c, often abbreviated HbA1c, is a form of hemoglobin (a blood pigment that carries oxygen) that is bound to glucose. The blood test for HbA1c level is routinely performed in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What is the name of the test that measures hemoglobin?
Other alternate names include the glycosylated hemo globin test, glycohemoglobin test, and glycated hemoglobin test. A1C measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached to it. Hemoglobin is a protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body.
What blood test is used to determine if you have prediabetes?
There are several blood tests for prediabetes. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test This test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the test measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (hemoglobin).
How to fight back against type 2 diabetes?
Sometimes, one of the next steps is taking a medication that may help control your blood sugar. FARXIGA (far-SEE-guh) is a once-daily pill taken in the morning with or without food. In studies, FARXIGA: Additionally, FARXIGA may help you: Do not take FARXIGA if you: have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working before and during your treatment with FARXIGA FARXIGA may cause serious side effects including: Dehydration (the loss of body water and salt), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at a higher risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure; take medicines to lower your blood pressure, including water pills (diuretics); are 65 years of age or older; are on a low salt diet, or have kidney problems FARXIGA has been tested in 24 clinical studies that looked at its benefits and safety. The studies had more than 11,000 adults with type 2 diabetes, including more than 6,000 patients treated with FARXIGA. FARXIGA, combined with diet and exercise, was studied alone as well as in combination with other diabetes medicines you may be taking. The other medicines included metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, insulin, and sitagliptin. Real patients. Real stories. Patients who are fighting back, sharing their challenges—and their successes—managing their type 2 diabetes. See Patient Stories FARXIGA works with the body to flush sugar away in urine. Learn more about how FARXIGA works › Continue reading >>
What is A1C blood test?
The A1C test is a blood test that measures a person’s average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months. Blood glucose is another name for blood sugar. This test also helps doctors monitor blood glucose levels in people with diagnosed diabetes.
What is the A1C level for diabetes?
any complications from diabetes. the person’s preferences and treatment priorities. In general, a doctor might recommend aiming for A1C levels under 6.5% if a person: is young and has a long life expectancy.
What does A1C mean?
The A1C test measures the percentage of red blood cells that have glucose-coated hemoglobin. This measurement gives doctors an idea of the person’s average blood glucose levels over the past 2–3 months.
What happens if A1C is high?
If someone’s A1C levels are higher than normal, they may have diabetes or prediabetes. Their doctor might order a repeat test to confirm this.
What is the A1C target?
is otherwise in good health. A doctor might recommend A1C targets of 7.0–8.5% if a person: is older and has a shorter life expectancy. has had diabetes for a longer period. has diabetes that is hard to manage, even with multiple medications. has a history of severe hypoglycemia or other adverse effects of treatment.
How old do you have to be to get an A1C test?
To screen for diabetes, a doctor may order an A1C test for someone older than 45. They may also do this for younger people who have other risk factors.
Is A1C a long term average?
The A1C test gives a more accurate long-term average. It takes into account fluctuations throughout the day, such as overnight and after meals.
Why does A1C drop when you lose weight?
Here’s why: As you shed extra pounds, the insulinin your body lowers your blood sugar levels more efficiently, which will cause your A1c levels to drop over time. In one study, people with type 2 diabeteswho lost 5% to 10% of their body weightwere three times as likely to lower their A1c by 0.5%.
How to lower A1C after eating?
As you make exercise a regular habit, you’ll see a downward trend in your A1c numbers. Never miss your meds. You can reliably lower your A1c through diet and exercise.
How to lower A1C?
You can reliably lower your A1c through diet and exercise. But if your doctor has prescribed medication, such as metformin, miglitol, or insulin, it’s important to take them exactly as prescribed. If you miss doses regularly, your blood sugar numbers may creep up and cause your A1c to rise.
What is the goal of A1C?
In general, the goal for your A1c is to be lower than 7%. Exactly how much lower will depend on your individual treatment plan. When you take steps to get your A1c in a healthy range, you lower your risk of complications such as nerve damage, eye problems, and heart disease.
What vegetables should I eat with a low starch diet?
Tweak your plate. Experts advise filling about half your plate with vegetables that are low in starch, such as carrots, greens, zucchini, or tomatoes.
Do carbs affect A1C?
Be carb smart. It’s true that carbohydrates affect your blood sugar more than other nutrients you eat. Chances are that if you overdo starchy carbs on a regular basis, your A1c number will start to creep up. But remember, all carbs aren’t a problem. You want ones that have a lot of fiber and nutrients, more than those that just serve up starch.
Why is it important to measure your food?
At first, it’s a good idea to measure your food to give you an idea of what healthy portion sizes look like for different foods. That’s where the measuring cups and scale come in handy. You may be surprised at first to see what one serving looks like, especially of high-carb items like cereal, rice, and pasta. But this will help ensure you don’t eat more than you intend to.

Overview
Why It's Done
- The results of an A1C test can help your doctor or other health care provider: 1. Diagnose prediabetes.If you have prediabetes, you have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 2. Diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes.To confirm a diabetes diagnosis, your doctor will likely look at the results of two blood tests given on diff...
How You Prepare
- The A1C test is a simple blood test. You don't need to fast for the A1C test, so you can eat and drink normally before the test.
What You Can Expect
- During the A1C test, a member of your health care team takes a blood sample by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm or pricking your finger tip with a small, pointed lancet. If the blood is taken from a vein, the blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Blood from a finger prick may be analyzed in your doctor's office for same-day results. This in-office test is only used for monitori…
Results
- A1C test results are reported as a percentage. A higher A1C percentage corresponds to higher average blood sugar levels. Results for a diagnosis are interpreted as follows: 1. Below 5.7% is normal. 2. 5.7% to 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. 3. 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes. For most adults living with diabetes, an A1C level of less than 7% is a comm…