Have your HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) levels checked. This is a newer test used by doctors to diagnose diabetes. It measures the hemoglobin (a protein) in your red blood cells. The test measures the amount of sugar attached to the hemoglobin. The higher the value, the greater the risk, which is directly correlated to your risk of developing diabetes (diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar).
Here’s how to explain the normal correlation between HbA1c levels and average blood sugar levels. An HbA1c of 6 corresponds to a blood glucose level of 135. An HbA1c of 7 is equal to 170, an HbA1c of 8 to 205, an HbA1c of 9 to 240, an HbA1c of 10 to 275, an HbA1c of 11 to 301, and an HbA1c of 12 to 345.
In most laboratories, the normal range for glycated hemoglobin is 4.0–5.9%. In poorly controlled diabetes, the value may be above 8.0%, while in well-controlled diabetes, it is below 7.0%. Measuring glycated hemoglobin offers the advantage of providing a more realistic view of the disease’s progression over time. It reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months, rather than providing a single-moment blood sugar reading, as a simple glucose test does [5].
Manage your diabetes. To manage your diabetes, you may need to take daily insulin injections or tablets, watch your diet, and exercise [6].
Sometimes, in moderate cases of type 2 diabetes, simply watching your diet and exercising are enough. Significant lifestyle changes may be sufficient to delay diabetes and restore normal blood sugar levels. Motivate yourself to make changes!
You will need to reduce your sugar and carbohydrate intake and get 30 minutes of physical activity each day. If you follow these tips, you will likely see your blood sugar levels decrease.
In contrast, type 1 diabetes will always require insulin injections because it is an autoimmune disease in which the body is unable to produce insulin.
It is extremely important to manage diabetes properly. If diabetes is left untreated, high blood sugar levels can lead to more serious health problems, such as nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease, blindness, and severe circulatory problems resulting from infections that are difficult to treat, progressing to gangrene and potentially requiring limb amputation (particularly in the lower extremities).
- Get regular checkups. For people who are prediabetic or diabetic, it’s important to have blood tests every three months. This helps monitor the progression of the disease, whether it’s improving (for those who have made positive lifestyle changes) or worsening. Regular blood tests also allow your doctor to make decisions about insulin doses and other medications. Your doctor will try to bring your blood sugar levels back within a specific range, and having regular tests will help them do this.
This could also motivate you to exercise more and make changes to your diet. You’ll know you might see tangible results in your next blood test!
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