Normal A1c Range For Seniors

What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels By Age

When a person, especially an older person, struggles to maintain adequate blood sugar levels, they can become hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia, or chronic low blood sugar, can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• Fainting or tingling in the limbs

Hypoglycemic symptoms should not be ignored, especially in seniors. Medical professionals recommend that seniors not only get checked regularly for signs of diabetes and other conditions but that they are well-versed in the answer to, What is a normal a1c level for seniors?

A1c is another term for blood sugar reading. Seniors can check their a1c readings on a glucose meter, which is commonly seen as a finger-prick device that instantly reads a drop of a persons blood. There are several types of glucose monitoring devices, however, so a person need not ignore their a1c or blood sugar levels for fear of finger pricks.

Hyperglycemia can also be a problem. This is when the body doesnt produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels and glucose remains too high in the bloodstream. When this happens, people can experience:

These are often signs of diabetes and should be addressed immediately to prevent further health conditions.

A1c/average Blood Sugar Chart

A1c test results come out as percentages. According to the NIH, normal A1c levels are at or below 5.7%. An A1c level between 5.7% and 6.4% may indicate prediabetes, and an A1c level of 6.5% or higher may indicate diabetes. For example, if hemoglobin A1c 5.9% is your percentage, your doctor may diagnose you with prediabetes.

The NIH adds that your A1c level should be kept below 7% if you have diabetes. Your doctor will work closely with you to reduce your A1c to normal levels if they are too high and may recommend eating healthier foods and exercising regularly to help regulate your blood sugar.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels For Seniors Over 80

Seniors in their 80s often find it even harder to eat healthfully, stay active, and maintain proper glucose levels than those in their 60s and 70s. As bodies age, systems begin to work more slowly or need more help to function properly.

Thus, its even more critical that a person has a plan to prevent themselves from becoming hypoglycemic, hyperglycemic, or diabetic. If they do have diabetes, maintaining optimal elderly a1c glucose levels is more important than ever. They should consume healthy food, try to get the recommended amount of physical activity, take their blood sugar readings often, and possibly add supplements to their nutrition regimen.

If a person finds it difficult to take their readings multiple times a day when in their 80s, they can get a glucose monitoring device worn on the arm or hip that emits continuous readings without needing a finger prick.

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An A1c Goal Of Between 7% And 8% Is Reasonable And Beneficial For Most Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

though if lifestyle changes can get that number lower, then go for it. For patients who want to live a long and healthy life and try to avoid the complications of diabetes, they will need to keep their blood sugars as normal as possible that means an A1c under 6.5%. However, studies show that using medications to achieve that goal significantly increases the risk of harmful side effects like hypoglycemia and weight gain. To live longer and healthier and avoid both the complications of diabetes as well as the risks of medications, theres this amazing thing called lifestyle change. This involves exercise, healthy diet, weight loss, and not smoking. It is very effective. Lifestyle change also can help achieve healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn reduce the risk for heart disease. And heart disease is a serious and common complication of diabetes.

Lifestyle change should be the cornerstone of treatment for type 2 diabetes. The recommendations go on to say that for patients who achieve an A1c below 6.5% with medications, we should decrease or even discontinue those drugs. Doing so requires careful monitoring to ensure that the person stays at the goal set with his or her doctor, which should be no lower than 7%, for the reasons stated above.

Action Plan For Low And High Blood Sugar Levels In Seniors

Hypoglycemia is also called low blood sugar. The numbers below represent values in the hypoglycemic range that can be potentially harmful and dangerous for humans to endure for long periods. Some actions are required to bring blood sugar levels to normal.

Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the primary source of energy for the bodys cells. Normally, the amount of glucose in the blood remains constant, but a persons blood sugar levels can be affected by a number of factors. A healthy lifestyle and proper diet can help in tackling abnormal sugar levels.

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Important Considerations Of The New Research

Itâs important to note that the ARIC study didnât use all the tests for diabetes and prediabetes previously explained they only used FPG and A1c levels. Therefore, some people could have been identified as having progressed to diabetes if other tests had been included in the analysis. Second, it is known that a third of the whole ARIC study group followed since the late ’80s developed diabetes before they reached 71 years of age, and therefore were not included in this analysis. The individuals who didnât develop diabetes before age 71 may actually have a lower risk of developing the disease than those who developed it as middle-age adults in this study population. Finally, the study group comprised primarily white adults, so the results may not be entirely applicable to other populations with a much higher risk for type 2 diabetes. . The authors notably made some important adjustments to the analysis in the study to control for all these factors, but it is difficult to totally eliminate their potential role in the study findings.

Research Design And Methods

The FOS, a community-based population study in Framingham, Massachusetts, was described previously . This predominantly white population has been studied every 48 years since 1971: interim histories are obtained, and clinical examinations are performed.

NHANES is a national population-based study based on household sampling with oversampling for minority groups. NHANES 20012004 data were used for this analysis. Detailed descriptions of the sample design, interviewing procedures, and physical examinations have been published .

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2,473 nondiabetic FOS participants who attended their fifth examination between January 1991 and September 1995, during which fasting glucose and A1C were measured and a 75-g OGTT was performed. FOS subjects with diabetes, determined on the basis of previous treatment with antidiabetic medications or fasting plasma glucose 126 mg/dl, were excluded. The nondiabetic cohort was classified as having IFG if FPG was between 100 and 125 mg/dl and IGT if 2-h postload glucose was 140199 mg/dl . Participants with NGT had FPG < 100 mg/dl and 2-h postload glucose < 140 mg/dl. Fifty-nine subjects who had missing 2-h postload blood glucose measurements were excluded from the NGT analyses.

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How Can I Get My A1c Down Quickly

A1C is a blood sugar level that is measured on an Annual American Dietetic Association scale. When your A1C rises above 6.5%, you are considered to have diabetes.

The goal of being low or below 7% is the key to preventing type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia.

There are a few ways to achieve a low A1C: eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and maintain a normal blood sugar level. eating healthy foods means limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, fast food restaurants, and white breads.

aerobic exercise can help lower your blood sugar levels by increasing energy throughout the day. being active also helps fight against obesity which increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes because its not uncommon for people who are obese to have an A1C over 7%.

Ways To Lower Your A1c

You can reduce your A1c and achieve normal A1c levels. The NIH recommends practicing a series of healthy lifestyle behaviors to lower your A1c, including eating healthy foods, staying active, and using your diabetes medication responsibly and as directed.

Your doctor can help you develop a healthy diabetes meal plan that can reduce your blood sugar levels. Eat a higher amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and a lower amount of sugar, salt, and saturated and trans fats. The NIH also recommends drinking more water, as many sodas and fruit juices are prone to containing high amounts of sugar.

Exercise can naturally reduce your blood sugar levels and regulate other hormones, including those related to stress. The NIH advises to start slow by taking 10-minute walks three times a day, gradually working your way up to higher intensity exercises.

Other steps you can take to lower your A1c, according to the NIH, include quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol intake, and managing your blood pressure level. Your doctor may provide you with other ways to lower your A1c based on your lifestyle and personal health situation.

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Nutrition And Physical Activity

Nutrition education can improve metabolic control in ambulatory older people with diabetes . Although nutrition education is important, weight loss may not be, since moderate obesity is associated with a lower mortality in this population . Amino acid supplementation may improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in these people, although this is controversial .

Unfortunately, it appears difficult to maintain these healthy behaviour changes outside of a supervised setting .

Figure 1Clinical frailty scale.

What Factors Can Affect Your A1c Results

Certain factors can cause your A1C levels to increase or decrease. These include:

• Severe anemia, liver disease, or kidney failure

• Early or late pregnancy

• Blood transfusions or loss

• Certain medications, such as opioids

• Having a less common type of hemoglobin than hemoglobin A, which is the most common variant, can lead to false results. This could occur in some people with certain blood disorders or people of Mediterranean, African, or Southeast Asian descent

If you have one or more of these factors, talk to your doctor about whether you may need other blood glucose tests to monitor your diabetes.

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What Vitamins Help Lower A1c

A1C is a key measure of blood sugar control and is associated with a greater risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

A study published in the Journal of Diabetes Mellitus found that eating vitamin C can improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.

The study also found that taking vitamin C can reduce the level of bad cholesterol, improve mood, and increase cognitive function.

What Does My A1c Mean

An A1C test result is reported as a percentage. The number represents the portion of hemoglobin proteins that are glycated, or holding glucose. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar levels have been over the last few months.

For diagnosing purposes, an A1C level of:

• Less than 5.7% means you dont have diabetes.
• 5.7% to 6.4% signals prediabetes.
• 6.5% or higher usually indicates Type 2 diabetes .

If you already have diabetes, an A1C result is a glimpse into how well your management plan has been working over the last three months. Management may involve oral pills, taking insulin, monitoring blood sugar levels and/or lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. Your A1C can help you and your provider determine if you should adjust any part of your treatment plan.

Its important to remember that your A1C is just an average measurement of your blood sugar over a few months. Its not a grade or the ultimate determiner of whether youre living a healthy life. Know that your A1C will change over your lifetime and that there are steps you can take to improve your diabetes management and A1C level, if needed.

A1C and estimated average glucose

Some laboratories report your A1C results as a percentage in addition to the corresponding estimated average glucose .

For example, an A1C level of 7% equates to an eAG of 154 mg/dL . An A1C level of 9% equates to an eAG of 212 mg/dL .

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We Dont Even Need To Follow The A1c For Some Patients

Elderly patients, and those with serious medical conditions, will benefit from simply controlling the symptoms they have from high blood sugars, like frequent urination and incontinence, rather than aiming for any particular A1c level. Who would be included in this group? People with a life expectancy of less than 10 years, or those who have advanced forms of dementia, emphysema, or cancer or end-stage kidney, liver, or heart failure. There is little to no evidence for any meaningful benefit of intervening to achieve a target A1c in these populations there is plenty of evidence for harm. In particular, diabetes medications can cause low blood sugars, leading to weakness, dizziness, and falls. There is the added consideration that elderly and sick patients often end up on a long list of medications that can interact, causing even more side effects.

Target Blood Sugar Levels In Older Adults

When you’re over 65, you have different diabetic treatment goals than younger people. Having other health conditions and/or cognitive impairment affects your blood sugar targets.

If you’re in good health, you may be able to manage diabetes as if you were younger. If you have other health problems, less strict management can help you avoid hypoglycemia.

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What Is Normal Blood Sugar For Seniors

Knowing your blood sugar levels is extremely important, as this can indicate whether you are at risk for or have diabetes. Seniors, in particular, are more at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. Although numbers may vary slightly depending on the type of test you take, here is a basic guide for assessing if your blood sugar is normal:

• Non-Diabetics When Fasting: 70-99 mg/dL
• Non-Diabetics 1-2 Hours Post-Meal: < 140 mg/dL
• Non-Diabetics During the A1C Test: < 5.7%
• Diabetics When Fasting: 80-130 mg/dL
• Diabetics 1-2 Hours Post-Meal: < 180 mg/dL
• Diabetics During the A1C Test: < 7%

Diet and lifestyle can also impact your blood sugar levels, so make sure youre doing what you can to stay well these days. Check out the rest of Senior Strong today for more advice on how seniors can stay as healthy as can be!

What Level Of Blood Sugar Is Dangerous

Higher blood sugar than normal is always a matter of concern. When should you become vigilant looking at your glucometer?

If you are a non-diabetic person then it is a basis of distress if your glucometer shows a number higher than 140mg/dl and in case of diabetic the range increases to 180 200 mg/dl. This condition is known as hyperglycemia and calls for the necessity to consult with a doctor.

Is testing blood sugar the only way to know your hyperglycemia? What would you do if you dont have glucometer at home?

Just be conscious of the following 7 symptoms:

Sometimes even with the treatment, elderly diabetic patients develop dementia with time.

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How To Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

There are some simple changes your loved one can do to manage his or her blood sugar. Your loved one should start by talking to the doctor about how to eat a proper diet that keeps blood sugar levels within the normal range, which typically involves reducing sugar and carbohydrates in the diet. Your loved one can also help his or her body flush out too much sugar in the blood by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If your loved ones levels fluctuate too much, he or she may need to take medication to keep it under control.

If youre the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Fair Oaks, live-in care is available if your loved ones health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today at 485-4663 to learn more about how we can assist your loved one at home.

What Is The Hba1c Test

The HbA1c blood test measures how much blood sugar is attached to your hemoglobin. A1C stands for glycated hemoglobin. Glycated hemoglobin is the medical term describing how your red blood cells become loaded up with sugar. As sugar circulates in your bloodstream , it sticks to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Sugar is sticky, and in your body, it stays attached to your hemoglobin for up to 3 months .

The more sugar in your bloodstream, the more red blood cells are covered with sugar molecules. The HbA1c test measures the percentage of the hemoglobin in your red blood cells covered in sugar. So the higher your average blood sugar level for the past three months, the higher the number of âsugaryâ red blood cells, and the higher your HbA1c test result.

Healthcare providers use HbA1c alone or in combination with other diabetes tests to diagnose prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

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