What is a normal A1C level for a woman?

Asked by: Hannah Schoen III  |  Last update: September 10, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (41 votes)

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.

How can I get my A1C down fast?

Whether you're managing diabetes or trying to avoid it, you can lower your blood glucose levels by:
  1. Exercise. ...
  2. Eat Right. ...
  3. Take Medications as Prescribed. ...
  4. Manage Your Stress. ...
  5. Stick to a Schedule. ...
  6. Drink in Moderation. ...
  7. Monitor Your Numbers.

What foods bring down your A1C?

Foods that can lower your A1C
  • Beans and legumes (black beans, kidney beans, pintos, chickpeas, white beans, and lentils)
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and peanuts.
  • Whole grain pasta, cereal, and oats.
  • Flax seeds.

What is a good A1C for a 70 year old woman?

For those without other major comorbidities, an A1C goal of 7–7.5% and a fasting glucose target range of 6.5–7.5 mmol/L (117–135 mg/dL) are recommended, whereas for frail older adults and those with multisystem disease, an A1C goal of 7.6–8.5% and a fasting glucose target range of 7.6–9.0 mmol/L (137–162 mg/dL) are ...

Can drinking water lower A1C?

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What is a Normal Blood Glucose Level?

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What foods should you avoid if you have high A1C?

Avoid high-fat dairy products and animal proteins such as butter, beef, hot dogs, sausage and bacon. Limit coconut and palm kernel oils. Trans fats. Avoid trans fats found in processed snacks, baked goods, shortening and stick margarines.

What raises A1C the most?

According to the NIH, the most common high A1c causes and risk factors include diabetes, anemia, lack of exercise, and obesity.

What 10 foods should diabetics avoid?

Here are 10 foods to avoid if you have diabetes, along with some healthier replacement options.
  • Processed meats. ...
  • Full-fat dairy products. ...
  • Packaged snacks and processed baked goods. ...
  • White carbohydrates. ...
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals. ...
  • Dried fruits. ...
  • French fries. ...
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat.

How long does it usually take to lower your A1C?

This means, it can take up to 3 months to notice significant changes in your A1C.

How much can A1C go down in 3 months?

If you have good control over diabetes then the good news is that HBA1C can drop by 10%. But if your levels are higher than 7.5 then the drop is slower.

How long does it take for A1C to go down?

Remember what your A1C measures: your average blood sugars over the past three months. The good news is that if your A1C is on the high side, say, 10% or higher, it will likely start to drop within two to three months (in other words, the higher it is, the faster it comes down).

What is an alarming A1C?

An A1C of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. Dangerous levels of A1C are 9% and higher. An A1C above 9% increases the risk of long-term diabetes complications like blindness, nerve damage, and kidney failure. 1 Under 7% is considered good diabetes control.

What drink lowers blood sugar?

These 3 Drinks Help Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced
  • Water. Water indirectly lowers our blood sugar by giving us the sensation of feeling full. ...
  • Unsweetened teas. ...
  • Black coffee. ...
  • Do your best to avoid these drinks. ...
  • Balancing blood sugar is important for everyone.

Does coffee raise blood sugar?

Plain coffee does not seem to directly increase levels of blood sugar, or blood glucose. This is good news for people with diabetes who like black coffee. However, some research suggests that the caffeine in coffee could impair insulin sensitivity, which is not ideal for people with diabetes.

Can you have high A1C and not be diabetic?

Yes, you can have a high A1C level and not have diabetes. This is because an A1C test measures the amount of glucose that's attached to hemoglobin. So anything that affects hemoglobin can alter the results. Certain medications, such as steroids, can also raise blood glucose levels in people who don't have diabetes.

Do you gain weight when your A1C is high?

When there is a lot of excess insulin and blood sugar in our blood stream, it signals our body to put that excess sugar in storage. We can store some sugar in our liver and muscles, however, when these are full our body start to store the extra sugar as fat. This of course starts to cause weight gain.

Are bananas bad for high A1C?

A person with diabetes can enjoy bananas in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The vitamin, mineral, and fiber content of bananas may even offer health benefits for people with diabetes, as long as an individual does not eat excessive portions.

What fruit should diabetics avoid?

Apart from the fruits that are good for diabetic people, there are some fruits that a diabetic should avoid as they can raise blood sugar levels. These fruits are cherries, ripped bananas, mangoes, figs, lychees, pineapple, grapes, tangerines, raisins, sweetened cranberries, etc.

Are eggs good for high A1C?

Are eggs good for people with diabetes? Eggs are a low-carbohydrate food and have a very low glycemic index score. This makes them a good source of protein for people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) state that eggs are a suitable food for people with diabetes.

Can Type 2 diabetics live to 90?

Diabetes Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a type 2 diabetic patient is between 77 to 81 years. However, it is not uncommon for diabetics to live past the age of 85, should they be able to maintain good blood sugar levels and lengthen their lifespan.

What A1c level is prediabetes?

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.