Making early changes to your lifestyle or taking medication can help manage blood sugar levels effectively, reducing your risk of long-term health issues.
Your blood sugar and A1C levels reflect how effectively your body processes sugar. If your doctor tells you these levels are high, it’s important to act quickly.
Let’s explore what steps you should take — including changes to your lifestyle and possible medical treatments — to manage your blood sugar and avoid complications.
Doctors may give you a glucose test or A1C test when they suspect you might have diabetes or prediabetes based on your symptoms, risk factors, or routine screening protocols.
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or can’t effectively use insulin (type 2 diabetes), resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes is a precursor stage where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
Here are the different types of tests and levels that may suggest prediabetes or diabetes:
Blood glucose tests
Blood glucose tests measure the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood at the time of the test. There are different types of blood glucose tests used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes.
1. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test
This test measures your blood sugar levels after an overnight fast (not eating for at least 8 hours). The results are typically given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Here’s how the results are interpreted:
- Normal: Less than 100 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL (impaired fasting glucose)
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests
2. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
This test involves fasting overnight and then drinking a sugary solution. Blood sugar levels are tested periodically over several hours.
Results for the 2-hour glucose level are interpreted as follows:
- Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 140 to 199 mg/dL (impaired glucose tolerance)
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests
3. Random plasma glucose test
This test measures blood sugar without regard to when you last ate. A result of 200 mg/dL or higher, along with symptoms of diabetes, suggests diabetes.
A1C test
The hemoglobin A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months, giving an overall picture of blood sugar regulation.
Here are the levels and what they mean:
- Normal: Less than 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher on two separate tests
If your blood glucose or A1C levels are high, a healthcare professional will likely recommend further testing to confirm a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes.
Based on the results and your overall health, they will discuss treatment options, which typically include lifestyle changes such as diet modifications, increased physical activity, and possibly medication to help manage blood sugar levels.
Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to track your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Here are some proactive tips to help prevent the progression of diabetes:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Aim for a balanced diet and regular physical activity to achieve and maintain a healthy weight for your body. Focusing on physical activity and weight loss
can effectively reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Even modest weight loss can significantly improve insulin sensitivity. - Monitor blood sugar levels: Find out what your doctor recommends and keep track of your blood sugar levels regularly. Monitoring helps you understand how certain foods and lifestyle choices affect your blood sugar.
- Medication adherence: If you’re prescribed medication for diabetes or prediabetes, take it as directed by your doctor. Taking your medication as prescribed is crucial in managing blood sugar levels and preventing complications.
- Regular health check-ups: Schedule regular visits with a healthcare professional to monitor your diabetes risk factors and overall health. Early detection and intervention can help prevent complications.
- Stress management: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Stress can affect blood sugar levels, so managing stress effectively is beneficial.
- Quit smoking: If you smoke, consider quitting. Smoking
increases the risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease and stroke.
Educating yourself
Educating yourself on prediabetes and the importance of early interventions involves several key steps:
- Research and reading: Start by reading reliable sources such as medical websites, books, and articles dedicated to diabetes and prediabetes. Look for information on what prediabetes is, its symptoms, and its progression to type 2 diabetes.
- Consult healthcare professionals: Schedule an appointment with your doctor or a diabetes specialist to discuss your concerns and get personalized advice. They can provide specific information about your risk factors, screening tests, and steps you can take to prevent or manage prediabetes.
- Attend workshops or classes: Many hospitals, community centers, and health organizations offer workshops on diabetes prevention and management. These sessions often cover lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, and how to monitor blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association offers a search tool to find a class near you.
Medical interventions
Medical interventions for prediabetes and diabetes typically include:
- Medications: Certain medications, such as metformin, may be prescribed to manage blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes or diabetes.
Research from 2023 found that metformin reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 35% in people with prediabetes (compared to those not taking metformin). - Insulin therapy: For people with diabetes, insulin therapy may be necessary to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. A
2024 study found that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who received early insulin therapy had a 31% lower risk of stroke and a 28% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure compared to those who didn’t receive early insulin therapy. - Monitoring: Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial to track changes and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle is key for managing blood sugar levels effectively, especially for anyone living with prediabetes or diabetes.
Here are specific dietary recommendations that focus on managing blood sugar levels:
- Carbohydrate control: Monitoring carbohydrate intake is important because carbohydrates directly affect blood sugar levels. Prioritize eating complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic index (GI), such as whole grains, legumes, and nonstarchy vegetables.
- Portion control: Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may help stabilize blood sugar.
- Fiber-rich foods: Fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves digestive health. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in your diet.
- Limit sugary foods and beverages: Avoid or limit sugary foods, desserts, and sweetened beverages, as they can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
- Healthy fats: Choose unsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, avocados, nuts, and fatty fish like salmon. Limit saturated fats and trans fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Hydration: Water helps regulate blood sugar levels and supports overall health.
Regular physical activity, especially at moderate to high intensity, significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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Building a support system
It’s important to share your goals and challenges with friends and family so they can provide emotional support and help you stay motivated to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Having an accountability partner can be incredibly beneficial when managing high blood sugar levels. This partner can help you stay committed to your health goals by checking in regularly, offering encouragement, and participating in healthy activities together, such as exercise or meal planning.
Elevated blood sugar levels can cause significant harm to your body over time, including damage to blood vessels and organs, leading to conditions like heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney problems.
If test results show you have higher blood sugar levels, you can work closely with your healthcare team to manage them.
Consider making tweaks, as needed, like increasing your exercise habits or eating more nutritious diabetes-friendly foods. These are essential for helping maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
