Someone I know recently found out that their A1C was very high (I think 10). Their doctor recommended that it be brought down to 7 or so.
I know A1c is associated with diabetes and a high A1c = high blood sugar is no good and all…and hte best way to maintain high blood sugar is by a controlled diet and exercise…
Has anyone ever had to do this? any other tips/advices etc?
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
I think you said it yourself Sara, the best way to manage high bood sugar is by a controlled diet and exercise. Unfortunately, there is no short cut to this, or any other health issue for that matter. What most of us need is a lifestyle change. Eat healthy, avoid anything with processed fats (trans and saturated), avoid fast food, avoid eating too much (eat smaller meals at shorter intervals) and exercise (cardio, that increases your heart rate).
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
At an A1C of 10, thats uncontrolled diabetes and needs intensive management. That'll include insulin at first to bridge over, while the oral medications start working, provided that all other blood work especially their kidney function is okay. Diet and exercise will play a major role, but medications at this point are a must.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
Ok so i guess there’s not much discussion here 
let’s see…how many of you are aware of YOUR A1c level? As per my understanding, it’s a pretty good guage of general health both in diabetic and non-diabetic patients…
Also read that it’s much easier to bring it from, say, 10 to 8.5 than it is to bring it from 8.5 to 7.5
Why?
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
I was diagnosed with diabetes 11 years ago. Since then my A1C has been under control . 
Diet , exercise , 2 trips a year to doctor and religiously following doctors advice is my secret.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
To be honest I am not sure what my A1C levels are Sara. But I did have my complete blood workup done about 7-8 months back when my cholesterol shot up, it was all good. I have changed my lifestyle quite a bit since. Like I said, I try to avoid all the bad stuff, with occasional cheating of course, and exercise (cardio most days of the week). So I am hoping it should stay in check. I do have a family history of diabetes and hypertension, so I am quite an ideal candidate for both I try to be more cautious for those reasons.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
Agree with jaanwar, the aswer is a hleathy lifestyle.
Sehar, I admit A1C levels of 10% are very high BUT that doesn't mean the person should not be given the chance to control thier diet and change lifestyle to control thier diabetes without medication. Obvioulsy thier overall health should be taken into consideration bfore making this decision. I think Mirch gave a great example of himself in that one can control thier diabetes without medication.
Sara, the reason behind that is because there are two things that affect A1C levels. One Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and Postp*****al (after eating) Plasma Glucose ( PPG). When A1C levels are higher (>8%) the major contribution is from FPG and when they are lower (closer to 7) the major contribution is from PPG. It is easier to control FPG because there are less variables that affect it unlike PPG which is affected by how much carbs were in the meal, the activity level of person, and the rate at which the stomach empties.
I undersand this is a very techinical answer, and I am not even sure exactly how and why it is easier to control FPG. I wil have to look it up but pretty much a simple answer is A1C is an average of how well glucose was controlled in the last 3 months and it is affected by FPG and PPG.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
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Re: Lowering A1C Levels
umm why is Postp-r-a-n-d-i-a-l a bad word :S
*it contains that highlighted word...thats why. *
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
WOOW…really!!! 
I didnt realize…but seriously…who would hide a word inside another like that
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lol…there may be crazy ppl on GS haha
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
^ It is automatically starred since the word at some point was placed in censored words.
Anyhow, high A-1C level is most likely an indication of diabetes Mellitus, whatever the cause maybe.
Agree with CDDG it indicates Blood sugar been high for last 3 months. The surviving red blood cells have hemoglobin exposed to high level and it would take another three months or so to see the effect on Hg-A1C, even if blood sugar is brought to completely normal.
Diet and exercise/weight reduction is important but, medications are almost always needed when Hg-A1C is that high. It means the average BS level was 240 and range was 193-282 mg/dl.
You do not need insulin at that level to begin with however.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
Adding insulin initially as a bridging therapy is provider dependent and patient dependent. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding that, including random glucose levels, and what symptoms the patient is having.
CDG - Agreed that lifestyle modifications are extremely important, but medications are necessary at this stage.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
yes, medication is important but I guess i think from a dietitian's perspective therefore I think lifestyle changes should always be given a chance. Although I have not practiced in a clinical setting so I am not sure what the protocol is when A1C is that high.
Re: Lowering A1C Levels
Insulin is not need till it is proven lack of insulin is the problem or pills do not work.
Pills can make insulin produced in body or make is work better...... so first line of treament will always be pills with exercise/weight loss/low sugar diet in adults.