Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, or better known as blood sugar, is too high. Your main source of energy is your blood glucose and it comes from the food that you eat. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Insulin is made by the pancreas, which helps glucose from the food you eat to create energy. An A1C lab test is an important tool in the detection and management of diabetes. If you are at risk for developing diabetes, or already have it, it is important to know what your A1C is on average.
Am I at risk for diabetes?
The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body does not make insulin and type 2 diabetes occurs when your body does not make or use insulin well. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults but can appear at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and occurs at any age, even during childhood. However, type 2 diabetes typically occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
What is my A1C?
A1C is a test that can identify prediabetes and diabetes. Additionally, it can help monitor how well your treatment for diabetes is working over time. It is a relatively simple blood test that can give you a picture of your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. The higher the levels, the greater you are at risk of developing diabetes. Typically, you need the A1C test at least twice a year if your treatment is working efficiently.
What do the numbers mean?
The A1C test numbers can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target numbers may be different than someone else’s. The goal for most adults with diabetes is an A1C that is less than 7%. These A1C test results are typically reported as a percentage. The higher the number, the higher your blood sugar levels have been the past two to three months.
Let’s break it down:
- If your A1C is between 5.7 and less than 6.5%, your levels are in the prediabetes range.
- If your A1C of 6.5% or higher, your levels are in the diabetes range.
How can I lower my A1C?
The key to reaching your A1C goal is by trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This can be as easy as starting an exercise plan you enjoy and making it a part of your regular daily schedule. This could be just taking your dog on a walk. Do something that gets your body moving that you enjoy. Additionally, eating a healthy, balanced diet can do wonders for your A1C levels. Most importantly, follow the treatment plan your healthcare provider recommends. Treatment is very individualized, so it is important to stay vigilant in your treatment plan to predict the best outcome for yourself.
Those diagnosed with a medical condition like these can learn more about their condition and have the chance to benefit from potential new therapies not available to the public. To learn more about the enrolling opportunities for diabetes or other glandular disorders here at DGDC, call (210) 614-8612, or visit us here.
