What to Do If You Have High Blood Glucose or A1C Results
Understand your routine test results and take control of your blood sugar management with proactive steps.
What to Do If You Have High Blood Glucose (BG) or A1C During a Routine Doctor’s Visit
Routine health screenings often include blood glucose (BG) and A1C tests. Discovering that your levels are higher than normal can be alarming, but understanding what these results mean and what steps to take next can empower you to manage your health effectively. This article explains how these tests work, what high numbers mean, and what you can do to lower your health risks.
Understanding Blood Glucose and A1C Levels
You may receive blood glucose or A1C testing if your physician suspects diabetes, prediabetes, or if it is part of regular health monitoring. Both tests offer insights into how your body regulates sugar, a crucial energy source. Here’s a closer look at what these terms mean and why they matter:
- Diabetes is a chronic condition where your body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels.
- Prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
- Blood glucose tests measure your blood sugar at a single point in time.
- A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.
Types of Blood Glucose Tests
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: Checks blood sugar after an overnight fast of at least eight hours.
- Normal: Less than 100 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL (impaired fasting glucose)
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or above on two separate tests
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): After fasting, you drink a sugary solution, and blood sugar is measured over several hours.
- Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL (2 hours after)
- Prediabetes: 140 to 199 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or above on two separate tests
- Random Plasma Glucose Test: Blood sugar is tested at any time, regardless of when you last ate.
- Diabetes likely if result is 200 mg/dL or above with symptoms of high blood sugar
The A1C Test
The A1C test (also known as hemoglobin A1C) is a blood test that indicates your average blood sugar levels over the last two to three months. The results are expressed as a percentage, showing how much glucose is attached to hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen.
What others are reading
| A1C Level (%) | Indication |
|---|---|
| Less than 5.7 | Normal |
| 5.7 – 6.4 | Prediabetes |
| 6.5 or above (on two separate tests) | Diabetes |
High A1C results suggest your average blood sugar has been elevated for several months, and may indicate prediabetes or diabetes.
What Happens Next If Your Blood Glucose or A1C Levels Are High?
If your blood sugar or A1C results are higher than normal, your healthcare provider will guide you through the next steps. High levels do not necessarily mean you have diabetes, but they signal a need for follow-up and possibly additional testing.
- Further testing is often recommended to confirm a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes.
- Your provider will review your medical history and address any symptoms (such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss).
- Treatment options are discussed, often starting with lifestyle changes and sometimes including medication, depending on the severity and persistence of high results.
- You will be scheduled for regular check-ups to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your care as needed.
Why Quick Action Matters
Early intervention can make a significant difference:
- Quickly addressing high blood sugar reduces your risk of developing serious complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, vision loss, and kidney issues.
- For prediabetes, research indicates lifestyle modifications can lower the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by as much as 58%.
- Even if you require medication, integrating healthy habits can improve your long-term outlook and quality of life.
Key Steps to Take If You Have High BG or A1C
1. Collaborate with Your Doctor
Discuss your test results in detail and ask about:
- What further testing or monitoring will be done
- Personal risk factors, including family history and lifestyle habits
- The best treatment approach customized to your needs
2. Make Targeted Lifestyle Modifications
Many people can lower blood sugar and A1C through proactive, consistent habits. Here are key evidence-backed strategies:
- Improve your diet:
- Prioritize whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
- Limit refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods.
- Watch your portion sizes to prevent spikes in blood sugar.
- Increase physical activity:
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming).
- Incorporate strength training, which can help improve insulin sensitivity.
- Lose excess weight: Even a modest reduction—about 5-7% of your total body weight—can significantly improve blood sugar regulation.
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of diabetes complications.
- Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol use can worsen blood sugar control.
- Get enough sleep and manage stress, as both high stress and inadequate rest can raise blood sugar levels.
3. Understand When Medication May Be Needed
If lifestyle changes don’t sufficiently lower your blood sugar or A1C, or if your levels are very high at diagnosis, your provider may prescribe medications or insulin. Common treatments include:
- Metformin: Usually the first medication for type 2 diabetes and sometimes prediabetes, helping reduce glucose production in the liver.
- Other oral medications or injectable medicines based on your unique needs and how your body responds.
- Insulin therapy: Necessary for all people with type 1 diabetes and in some cases of type 2 diabetes.
4. Schedule Regular Follow-Up and Monitoring
- Monitor your blood sugar at home if recommended, using a fingerstick meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
- Repeat A1C testing typically every three to six months, or as directed.
- Track your symptoms and progress, and communicate any concerns to your healthcare team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What symptoms might I notice if my blood sugar is high?
Some common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss. Many people with prediabetes or early diabetes have no noticeable symptoms, making regular test screenings vital.
How often should I have my A1C checked?
If diagnosed with diabetes, your A1C should be checked at least twice a year (and more often if your treatment changes or you’re struggling to meet targets). People at risk but not diagnosed may be tested annually or as recommended by their provider.
If my blood glucose or A1C is high once, do I have diabetes?
No, a diagnosis is not usually made after just one abnormal result. Confirmation requires further testing, typically repeating the same test or using a different test on another day. Your overall health and accompanying symptoms are also evaluated.
Can prediabetes be reversed?
Yes, for many people, prediabetes can be reversed or progress delayed through a healthy diet, increased activity, weight loss, and other lifestyle changes. Early action provides the best chance for a return to normal blood sugar ranges.
What is the difference between blood glucose and A1C tests?
Blood glucose tests measure sugar levels at a single moment, while the A1C test shows average blood sugar over about three months. Both are valuable for a complete picture of your sugar control.
Key Takeaways
- High blood glucose or A1C during a routine doctor’s visit means your body may not be managing sugar effectively.
- Don’t panic—your doctor will recommend additional testing and help create a tailored treatment plan.
- Early, sustained changes to diet and lifestyle are powerful tools to lower blood sugar and protect against long-term complications.
- With consistent follow-up, most people can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes or its consequences and live a vibrant, healthy life.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Information on blood sugar and A1C testing, prevention, and management
- American Diabetes Association: Free tools, support, and educational resources to manage diabetes and prediabetes
- Your Healthcare Team: Personalized medical advice, diagnostic testing, and follow-up care
References
- https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/a1c-test
- https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/high-bg-or-a1c-during-routine-doc-visit
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311204
- https://www.healthline.com/health/video/14-ways-to-lower-blood-sugar
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10664734/
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