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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes High A1C Numbers Even With Diet Control?

I am an active 59 year old female. I have had high A1C numbers for a long while. My most recent tests have been 6.2 and 6.4. I was 15 pounds over weight. I decided it was time to follow my dis advice and watch what I eat. I am a vegetarian but love chocolate and other foods that are not healthy. I have given up white everything and processed foods. In three weeks time I have lost 9 pounds. I did purchase a test kit at the advice of a friend who is a naturopath Dr. My first test was 119 taken last night and was two hours after I finished a meal consisting of a salad and slice of whole wheat bread. This morning I took a fasting test and it was 133. I was light headed a good part of the day today and not sure if that was allergy stuff or too much sugar. Anyhow....I was very disappointed with my numbers because I have been working real hard at this diet. My husband tells me to be patient. How long does it typically take for numbers to normalize once someone makes a lifestyle change. Being that I am pre diabetic and not diabetic is it necessary to test daily and if so how often. My internist has not suggested it so I am wondering if it is not necessary. Thanks
Mon, 27 Oct 2014
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Its highly commendable that you have made a positive change in terms of changing your diet to a healthier one. Once someone has pre diabetes there is a 50% chance that they can become diabetic over a 5 year period. 25% of them will remain pre diabetic and 25% will fall into the normal range within few years.

Given that you have started a healthy diet, you should give it 3 months atleast before you can see a noticeable change in the A1c levels. I wouldn't recommend you to actually check your blood glucose levels daily for 2 reasons. 1) Short term goal is not an objective here. 2) A1c takes time to normalise. However, you could do a monthly post prandial blood glucose level which is enough (because when somehow has an A1c level below 8% post prandial blood glucose plays a larger role than fasting glucose).

Please continue to make small changes that will last. It would be nice if you could incorporate 30 minutes of brisk walking daily into your schedule. Hope it helps. Good luck.
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What Causes High A1C Numbers Even With Diet Control?

Its highly commendable that you have made a positive change in terms of changing your diet to a healthier one. Once someone has pre diabetes there is a 50% chance that they can become diabetic over a 5 year period. 25% of them will remain pre diabetic and 25% will fall into the normal range within few years. Given that you have started a healthy diet, you should give it 3 months atleast before you can see a noticeable change in the A1c levels. I wouldn t recommend you to actually check your blood glucose levels daily for 2 reasons. 1) Short term goal is not an objective here. 2) A1c takes time to normalise. However, you could do a monthly post prandial blood glucose level which is enough (because when somehow has an A1c level below 8% post prandial blood glucose plays a larger role than fasting glucose). Please continue to make small changes that will last. It would be nice if you could incorporate 30 minutes of brisk walking daily into your schedule. Hope it helps. Good luck.