Do I Have To Start Medication For High Blood Sugar Levels?

Posted on Tue, 20 Apr 2021

Question: I got an HBA1C done and its 7.4% and Avg blood glucose is 186. I am already cutting down on sugar and 30 mins brisk walk at 5km/hr on treadmill. Do i need to starr medication? The lab guys said no medication required just continue diet and exercise pls advise

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
suggestions

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think it would be better to test FBS and PPBS.
HbA1C gives an idea of avergae sugars of 3 months.
While diet control and exercise are crucial, I do not think that this is going to be enough.
They would definitely help reduce the average sugars.
But yet, I think medications may be needed.
Metformin is the usual first line medication and I would recommend the same to you.
However, the exact dose needs exact sugars.
The average sugar of 186 that you mentioned is retro calculated from HbA1C, and therefore the dose of medicine cannot be informed by this alone.
Do let us know the FBS and PPBS.
I would recommend buying a glucometer also for long term monitoring.
Best wishes, Dr Mittal

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj