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Is HbA1c Level Of 6.0 A Cause For Concern?
Question: Hello, my name is XXXX XXXXXXX and I have prediabetes. My a1c was 6.0 about three and a half weeks ago. I have not been consuming any sugar at all except for the fact that I drink a full cup of decaf coffee with water and two packets of sucralose. I read on google that sucralose could increase blood sugar levels and insulin and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. My sugar is usually in the 80s or 90s when I measure it, but when I measured it after I drink the coffee, it was 139 once, and then 120 once. Do you think the fact that I have been drinking this cup of coffee everyday could have made my a1c go up? I also have a veggie subway sandwich in the morning so do you think the bread from that could have made my a1c go up? I do not consume any other sugar however. I don't drink any coke, diet coke, eat cookies or other sweets, drink juice, etc. I don't even eat fruits. I just fill myself up with rice cakes, low fat popcorn, salads, etc. And I also do 45-50 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. I'm going to try and get my a1c checked again this week, but I'm just worried it may have gone up. Please tell me if you think it would have gone up.
Brief Answer:
About prediabetes treatment:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone carefully through your concern.
Prediabetes, as you know is diagnosed when fasting blood sugar is between 70-125 mg/dl and postprandial blood sugar between 140 and 200 mg/dl, or HbA1c level 5.7-6.4%.
If you are overweight, of course the treatment consists in loosing weight with a healthy diet and physical activity.
The weight loss is considered significant if you loose 10% of your body weight for 1 year. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a big difference when it comes to prediabetes.
In general, a healthy diet for people with prediabetes is a healthy diet for anyone: rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, with lean proteins and certain kinds of fat. If your metabolism is slow, you should cut off even the sandwich.
Exercise of any kind can make a big difference in your health. Keep going with 50 min/ day exercise.
The blood sugar you reported are considered normal, so the Hba1c level should have lowered during these weeks, but i would suggest to check it three months after the previous check. 6 weeks is a short period.
If you have family predisposition for type 2 Diabetes and are overweight, i do not think that the cup of coffe is the cause of the high A1c level. There are many mechanisms involved.
Sucralose may raise blood sugar and insulin levels in people who do not consume artificial sweeteners regularly. However, it probably has no effect in people who regularly use artificial sweeteners.
So, you are at the right way in improving the A1c levels. Check it after 3 months and keep eating healthy food and do the physical activity, of course the A1c levels will get improved.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
About prediabetes treatment:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone carefully through your concern.
Prediabetes, as you know is diagnosed when fasting blood sugar is between 70-125 mg/dl and postprandial blood sugar between 140 and 200 mg/dl, or HbA1c level 5.7-6.4%.
If you are overweight, of course the treatment consists in loosing weight with a healthy diet and physical activity.
The weight loss is considered significant if you loose 10% of your body weight for 1 year. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a big difference when it comes to prediabetes.
In general, a healthy diet for people with prediabetes is a healthy diet for anyone: rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, with lean proteins and certain kinds of fat. If your metabolism is slow, you should cut off even the sandwich.
Exercise of any kind can make a big difference in your health. Keep going with 50 min/ day exercise.
The blood sugar you reported are considered normal, so the Hba1c level should have lowered during these weeks, but i would suggest to check it three months after the previous check. 6 weeks is a short period.
If you have family predisposition for type 2 Diabetes and are overweight, i do not think that the cup of coffe is the cause of the high A1c level. There are many mechanisms involved.
Sucralose may raise blood sugar and insulin levels in people who do not consume artificial sweeteners regularly. However, it probably has no effect in people who regularly use artificial sweeteners.
So, you are at the right way in improving the A1c levels. Check it after 3 months and keep eating healthy food and do the physical activity, of course the A1c levels will get improved.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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