While medication is sometimes used to help achieve a certain A1C level, healthy diet and regular exercise can be more effective for some people.
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a healthy 63-year-old woman. I walk or do the elliptical four to five times per week for 30-40 minutes, and I also do strength training at the gym three times per week. I eat most of my meals at home, and I eat mostly healthy — daily salads, fruits, fish and chicken. Although I do go out to eat on weekends and enjoy some snacking, I am maintaining a 30-pound weight loss since 2018 and weigh 149 pounds at 5 feet, 7 inches.
I have an appointment with my endocrinologist next week, and I know he will suggest medication based on our previous conversations. My questions are: Should I start taking medication to lower my A1C? Is there damage being done to my body from a slightly elevated A1C? If I wait and monitor my A1C, at what level would I need to start medications? All my other labs are normal, and my cholesterol levels are excellent.Prediabetes is most commonly defined as an A1C between 5.7% to 6.
The decision to take medicine is up to you. If there is damage from your A1C of 5.8%, it is likely to be minimal. The most common A1C goal for a healthy 63-year-old with diabetes is 7.0%, and you are well below this.
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