{"id":61189,"date":"2023-11-07T09:30:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T14:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61189"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T15:48:05","slug":"what-is-a-dangerous-level-of-a1c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-a-dangerous-level-of-a1c\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a dangerous A1C level?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, your healthcare provider will likely recommend regular checks of your A1C levels. This is done with a hemoglobin A1C blood test, also known as the glycated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, or HbA1C test. By measuring how many red blood cells have glucose attached to them, the test is used to assess blood sugar levels over time. Providers use the test to screen for <\/span>prediabetes<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a> and to assess how well-controlled the condition is in those who are already diagnosed (including those with Type 1 diabetes).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The results of your A1C can be telling: The higher the A1C results, the higher the average blood sugar level. Very high and very low A1C results can be bad for your health for many reasons. Read on to see what you should know about your A1C test results.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a dangerous level of A1C?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A normal A1C range is 4% to 5.7%, according to the <\/span>American Diabetes Association<\/span> (ADA). Levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate prediabetes while 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When your A1C is consistently higher than 9%, you are at greater <\/span>risk for developing long-term or chronic complications<\/span><\/a> from poorly managed diabetes. Likewise, A1C levels that are consistently lower than 4% are <\/span>associated with increased mortality<\/span><\/a>. However, it\u2019s fairly rare to have dangerously low A1C.<\/span><\/p>\n

For people with diabetes, the medical condition is considered well-managed if A1C is 6.5% or lower for young adults, or between 7%-8% for older adults or those with other underlying health conditions or risk factors, according to the <\/span>ADA<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When A1C levels are consistently very low, it can lead to diabetic coma or even death. Low blood sugar is referred to as hypoglycemia. \u201cIt can cause lightheadedness, sweating, palpitations, loss of consciousness, and seizures,\u201d Dr. Makhija says. People with diabetes can <\/span>experience low blood sugar<\/span><\/a> if they are taking certain medications or using insulin injections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 1 hypoglycemia occurs at an A1C level of 4% or lower, and stage 2 at an A1C level of 3.5% or lower, according to the <\/span>ADA<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A1C test measures are not used to diagnose Type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes, but it can help manage these conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 complications of high A1C levels<\/span><\/h2>\n

Very high A1C levels indicate that a person\u2019s diabetes is not well-managed. As A1C approaches 9%, the <\/span>chances of having diabetes complications<\/span><\/a> become much higher. Here are the seven most common health issues caused by dangerously high A1C levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Heart disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

High A1C levels raise the risk of cardiovascular disease because sustained high blood sugar harms the <\/span>blood vessels and nerves<\/span><\/a> that play a crucial role in the functioning of your heart. Luckily, <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> shows that lowering A1C levels with medication and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarctions (also known as heart attacks).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Kidney disease\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, <\/span>damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys<\/span><\/a>. When this happens, kidneys can’t clean the blood properly, which leads to kidney disease. \u201cOther than uncontrolled high blood pressure, the primary reason for chronic kidney disease and advanced kidney failure \u2026 is poorly controlled diabetes,\u201d says <\/span>Chhaya Makhija<\/span><\/a>, MD, an endocrinologist at Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care in Fresno, California.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Nerve damage\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

When your A1C levels are too high, it can harm the nerves in your body that help you feel things and move. When you develop nerve damage (also known as neuropathy) you might have strange sensations, such as <\/span>tingling or pain in your hands, and feet<\/span><\/a>, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can also affect how well you can control your muscles, and impact motor functions such as walking.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Slowed healing<\/span><\/h3>\n

High blood glucose levels can <\/span>stiffen blood vessels and decrease circulation<\/span><\/a>. The decreased blood flow makes it harder for the body to supply nutrients to wounds, leading to <\/span>delayed or incomplete healing<\/span><\/a>. \u201cFoot ulcers and the need for surgical amputation \u2026 of a body part such as a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm, or leg are still common in cases of poorly controlled diabetes, which is often indicated by a long-standing high A1C test level,\u201d Dr. Makhija says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Stroke<\/span><\/h3>\n

Having high A1C levels (greater than 6.8% to 7.0%) increases your <\/span>risk of having a vascular event like a heart attack or stroke<\/span><\/a>. \u201cStroke or cerebrovascular accidents commonly occur due to chronic conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and alcohol use,\u201d says Rasa Kazlauskaite, MD, an endocrinologist and an associate professor at <\/span>Rush University Medical Center<\/span><\/a> in Chicago. \u201cPeople with Type 2 diabetes usually also have other metabolic conditions like hypertension and high cholesterol.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Memory loss<\/span><\/h3>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> suggests that high blood sugar over a long duration increases your risk of developing memory issues. A <\/span>\u00a0meta-analysis<\/span><\/a> found that people with uncontrolled diabetes faced a 73% higher risk of developing a form of dementia. Specifically, they had a 56% increased risk of Alzheimer’s dementia and a 127% increased risk of vascular dementia when compared to those without diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Eye problems (retinopathy)<\/span><\/h3>\n

When your A1C levels are consistently high, <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> shows it can cause retina damage, also known as retinopathy. This can make your vision fuzzy or unclear, almost as if you’re trying to see through a foggy lens. \u201cIn more severe cases, uncontrolled high A1C levels can even lead to the risk of blindness, where you may lose your ability to see entirely,\u201d Dr. Kazlauskaite says.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to improve your A1C levels<\/span><\/h2>\n

To reach your goal of keeping your A1C levels in the normal range, your treatment plan should include a combination of regular monitoring, lifestyle changes, and medication. Healthcare providers typically recommend the following four steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Monitor your diet.<\/b> People with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes should <\/span>eat to keep blood sugar levels stable<\/span><\/a>\u2014without drastic highs or lows. That can mean opting for more whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, complex carbs, and lean protein while decreasing your intake of processed foods with lots of added sugar and simple carbohydrates, such as packaged baked goods, soda, or juice.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Regularly exercise. <\/b>Losing 5%-7%<\/span><\/a> of your body weight has been shown to reduce insulin resistance, which helps improve blood sugar control. You can kickstart weight loss by adding a post-meal walk, and work up to at least <\/span>150 minutes of physical activity a week<\/span><\/a>. Creating and sticking to a regular workout routine can improve A1C numbers for those with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Monitor your blood sugar.<\/b> A1C tests at your doctor\u2019s visit don\u2019t provide the whole picture. To manage Type 2 diabetes you\u2019ll need to take regular blood sugar readings at home to make sure you\u2019re meeting your target range. Your healthcare provider can help you establish how often you need to check it, but they may recommend it before meals, two hours after meals, and at bedtime. They may also recommend using a continuous glucose monitor. \u201c[A CGM] helps you understand how your blood sugar levels change throughout the day, therefore, you can make the right adjustments,\u201d Dr. Makhija says. Those with Type 2 diabetes will need to monitor this more closely than those with prediabetes, so be sure to talk with your provider or a diabetes care educator about how often is best for your condition.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Take your medication.<\/b> If you are diagnosed with prediabetes and have other risk factors, your doctor may prescribe <\/span>metformin<\/span><\/a> to help lower your blood sugar levels and prevent Type 2 diabetes. If you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you may be prescribed the same or other diabetes medications such as <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a>. While these medications will not cure the condition, they will help to manage it better and bring your A1C levels down. Every three months, you’ll have your A1C targets checked to see if they have been achieved and maintained.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Metformin coupons<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Ozempic coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    When to see your healthcare provider<\/span><\/h2>\n

    If your A1C levels are in the acceptable range, your healthcare provider will likely only test them twice a year. But if your levels are 9% or higher, you will need to have them checked every three months. Your healthcare team will help you set an A1C goal and check to see if they have been achieved and maintained.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you have prediabetes or diabetes, it\u2019s important to see your provider regularly. But, if you\u2019re experiencing any complications from your condition, such as nerve damage or eye problems, it\u2019s even more important to schedule routine checkups. Working closely with your diabetes management team can help you improve your A1C and overall diabetes control.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you\u2019ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, your healthcare provider will likely recommend regular checks of your A1C levels. This is done with a hemoglobin A1C blood test, also known as the glycated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, or HbA1C test. By measuring how many red blood cells have glucose attached to them, the test is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":61190,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[790,10298,729,8905],"coauthors":[20973],"class_list":["post-61189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-chronic-disease","tag-diabetes","tag-doctor-visits","tag-seasonal","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is a dangerous A1C level? 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