How Often Is A1C Measured?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, or you’re trying to improve your blood sugar levels, your doctor may test your A1C every three months, as that’s the amount of time that it takes for your red blood cells to renew themselves. If your blood sugar levels are stable, you may only need an A1C test every six months. Fortunately, self-evaluation A1C tests can be purchased over the counter. However, these tests don’t replace regular home blood sugar monitoring or the A1C tests carried out by your doctor.
What A1C Should I Be Aiming For?
The American Diabetes Association suggests you should aim for an A1C below 7% to achieve optimal wellness. However, as A1C targets are individual, you should work with your doctor to agree on a suitable level. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you aim for an A1C below 6.5%. Your risk of
complications are minimized when your A1C is below this level, especially if you have been recently diagnosed.
You can have a healthy A1C but still see extreme fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. If your A1C is too low, it could indicate a number of hypoglycemic events. This risk is particularly severe if you're elderly and unable to sense when your blood sugar level is too low.
How Can I Achieve A Healthy A1C?
Because A1C is a measure of your average blood sugar over several months, You’ll need to pay close attention to long-term aspects of your lifestyle and health to achieve a healthy A1C. You’ll need to practice a diet that’s low in fat, salt and sugar, engage in regular exercise and monitor your blood sugar levels daily. If you’re prescribed medication to keep your blood sugar levels stable, you’ll need to take this as directed by your doctor. You’ll also need to visit your doctor regularly so that he can review your treatment plan and make any necessary adjustments.
What Are The Benefits Of A Healthy A1C?
If you have a healthy A1C, it’s likely that your blood sugar levels are stable. This will offer you some protection against the long-term complications of diabetes.
What Are The Risks Of A High A1C?
If you have a high A1C, you’re at an increased risk of developing short and long-term health complications. These complications are classified as microvascular complications, where high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in your eyes, kidneys, liver and nerves, and macrovascular complications, where high blood sugar levels damage the larger blood vessels in your heart, brain and extremities.
If your A1C is high, any improvement in your blood sugar control will be beneficial. However, as a sudden drop of blood sugar levels can be harmful, you should aim to lower your blood sugar levels slowly over time, all while consulting your doctor.
