Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which can occur due to multiple causes. Diabetes mellitus presents with high blood sugar levels, defect in insulin secretion or its action and disturbance of carbohydrate, fats and protein metabolism.
Diabetes mellitus is recognized as one of the illnesses belonging to the group of lifestyle disorders, which means that urbanization, sedentary lifestyle and stress has taken a toll on health. These factors predispose people to major diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders, cancer, PCOS and infertility. This article will help you understand what is HbA1C and how to lower A1C pre diabetes naturally.
HbA1C is also known as glycosylated hemoglobin. It reflects average plasma glucose over 3 months. The test can be performed at any time of the day and does not require the patient to be fasting.
HbA1C is a useful blood test to detect if a person has had high blood sugars consistently in the previous 8-12 weeks as well. In diabetics, it is used to assess glycemic control. It has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a diagnostic test for diabetes.
Pre-diabetes is a condition that precedes diabetes. In pre-diabetes, your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be categorized as diabetes.
Since pre-diabetes does not show any signs and symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose the condition. Majority of pre-diabetes cases are diagnosed accidentally on a routine blood checkup.
Having pre-diabetes means that you are at a high risk to develop diabetes in future. However, developing diabetes can be avoided or delayed with the help of regular screening and taking up measures timely.
Future complications of developing diabetes are hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular illnesses.
Normal reference range to diagnose pre-diabetes and differentiate it from diabetes is
Condition | HbA1C values |
Normal | Less than 5.7% |
Pre-diabetes | 5.7 – 6.4% |
Diabetes | More than 6.5% |
Newer guidelines for managing pre-diabetes and prevention or delay of diabetes is mainly based on lifestyle modifications and behavioural therapy rather than medications.
Lowering A1C can be achieved by combining lifestyle modifications with medications. This approach towards pre-diabetes can delay or avoid progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes. Dietary modifications need to be done according to your diet, requirement and suitability from a certified dietician.
It is also important to keep a regular follow up with your doctor if you are at high risk for having diabetes. Regular follow-up visits will enable you to consistently evaluate your risk factors and receive a tailor made treatment and diet plan to lower A1C pre-diabetes.
Besides choosing a healthier lifestyle, it is important to make people around you aware about pre-diabetes. Health care professionals need to carry out adequate screening for pre-diabetes to reduce the burden of diabetes in society along with its complications.
Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.
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