The A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It provides information about any fluctuations or patterns in your blood sugar levels and can be used to explore a prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis.
In the United States, your A1C results may be interpreted as follows:
- lower than 5.7%: within standard results
- between 5.7% and 6.4%: prediabetes
- 6.5% or greater: diabetes
Higher A1C levels may indicate the chance of developing complications related to diabetes, like nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision problems.
Other conditions may also cause elevated A1C results, so your healthcare team may want to explore your family and personal medical history and specific symptoms before establishing a diagnosis.
This article discusses possible ways to lower your elevated A1C level and how to use the test to monitor your condition.
How to lower your A1C level
The best way to lower your A1C levels is to discuss the underlying causes of elevated results and available management options with a healthcare professional. They may recommend some of these strategies:
Eating habits
Changes in your nutrition may help you manage blood sugar levels and, in time, lower your A1C level.
Depending on the cause of high A1C levels and your overall health, a health professional may ask you to consider these diets:
- Ketogenic diet: A 2021 review suggested that a ketogenic diet — low in carbohydrates — may improve A1C levels, minimize the need for diabetes medications, and reduce diabetes-related complications in people with type 2 diabetes. This diet is not recommended for everyone, though, so your doctor’s supervision and approval are essential.
- Mediterranean diet: According to a 2018 review that included over 2,500 participants with type 2 diabetes, a Mediterranean diet — which emphasizes plant-based foods, healthy fats, dairy, legumes, and lean protein — may improve factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and A1C levels.
- Plant-based diets: A large 2022 review of 84 studies suggested that plant-based diets, including vegan and vegetarian diets, may reduce contributing factors associated with diabetes, such as high A1C, insulin sensitivity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- High fiber diets: A study from 2018 indicated that eating more fiber can reduce A1C levels, possibly due to benefits to the healthy bacteria in your gut.
- Low glycemic index (GI) diets: Low GI foods increase your blood sugar slower than high GI foods. A large 2019 review including 54 studies suggested that prioritizing low GI foods can lower A1C and improve insulin sensitivity, body mass index (BMI), and cholesterol.
These nutritional plans focus on minimally processed whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Whether you want to try a specific eating plan like one of those listed above or prioritize more of these foods in your day-to-day diet, you may experience benefits in the long run.
Limiting or eliminating certain types of food from your diet may also be important.
An extensive 2019 consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends limiting the following:
- refined grains
- added sugars
- highly processed foods
- trans fats
Everybody is different, though, and what works for you might not work for someone else. When adopting or changing eating habits, working with a healthcare team is highly advisable.
Physical activity
A 2019 review of 11 studies suggests regular cardio and strength training exercises may improve insulin sensitivity, lower A1C levels, and reduce BMI.
Similarly, an older 2015 review notes that losing weight, when recommended by a health professional, may cause A1C levels to drop if you live with overweight or obesity.
Physical activity is not limited to working out or exercising. Moving more, in general, may help you. Working with a healthcare professional may assist you in finding the best way to get more physically active, depending on your lifestyle and overall health.
Medications
If you have diabetes, your doctor may prescribe insulin to help regulate your blood sugar levels and lower your A1C levels. These medications may include:
- insulin detemir (Levemir): Vial and pen
- insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo): Vial, pen, and cartridge
- insulin degludec (Tresiba): Pen
- insulin lispro (Humalog, Admelog): Vial, pen, and cartridge
- insulin aspart (Novolog, Fiasp): Vial, pen, and cartridge
- insulin glulisine (apidra): Vial and pen
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
