What Does HbA1C Value Of 7.9 Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 25 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 25 May 2015 Answered on

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My Mother was recently diagnosed with diabetes about 6 weeks ago. Her A1C test was 7.9. The doctor is giving her a chance to try to manage with diet and exercise. He did not really explain to us what numbers to aim for. Is 7.9 bad? What numbers should we aim to keep sugar at? When do we determine that diet and exercise is not working? She is 65 years old. She weighs around 178 and is 5 feet 7 inches.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Diet and exercise

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

7.9 Hba1c means that her average blood sugar is about 180 mg/dl. Here is what you should do

1. Follow a strict diabetic diet
2. Exercise daily for a minimum of 45 minutes a day
3. Drink plenty of water, about 6-8 glasses
4. But a self monitoring glucometer from the pharmacy. Fasting blood sugar should be aimed to be less than 116 mg/dl and 2 hours post pradial ( after food) should be aimed at 180
5. Diet and exercise is considered not working when 3 months later the HbA1c is still above 7.
6. I usually do not recommend lifestye modification in patients with Hba1c above 7, i start metformin 500 mg twice daily

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (24 minutes later)

I have read eating before bed would decrease sugar level in morning. Do you recommend this? If so, what do you recommend eating?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Dinner should be eaten atleast 2 hours before sleeping. I do not recommend eating just before sleeping, it raises the blood sugar and also causes lots of gastritc discomfort.

I recommend eating oats at night 2 hours before bed time. Oats is known to lower sugar, cholesterol and also adds fibre to the diet

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar