A1C & You - About A1C
A1C and Complications
A1C and the Risk of Developing Complications
In Type 2 diabetes patients in the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) and type 1 patients in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), A1C levels were related to the risk of diabetes complications. The UKPDS showed that in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering A1C levels by 1% decreases the risk of any diabetes-related complication or death by 21%.
What can I do if my A1C level is too high?
Talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor might add a new medication to your treatment plan or increase your dose of medication. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a certified diabetes educator. The certified diabetes educator (CDE) will create a plan with your input to fit into your lifestyle.
Recent studies have shown that blood sugar levels (clinically referred to as post-prandial glucose) after meals contribute to A1C levels. Post-prandial blood glucose (PPBG) measurements contribute to A1C levels in all patients with diabetes. PPBG levels contributed more to the A1C levels of patients with fair blood sugar control (A1C <8.4%) than to those with poorer blood sugar control (A1C >8.5%). Try testing your blood sugar 2 hours after a meal to see how this could affect your A1C level.
Importance of PPBG monitoring and management
- DCCT. N Engl J Med 1993;329:977–86.
- Stratton IM, Adler Al, Neil AW, et al. Association of glycaemia with macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 35): prospective observational study, BMJ. 2000;321:405-412.
- Monnier, L, Colette C. "Contributions of Fasting and Postprandial Glucose to Hemoglobin A1C" Endocrine Practice Vol 12 (Suppl 1) Jan/Feb 2006; pp 42-46.