Some Medications Can Cause High A1c Levels
Several different medications may interfere with A1C test results. Some can even cause errors in readings or bring up inaccurate results. For example, some anti-retroviral drugs and even over-the-counter drugs like aspirin can cause your A1C levels to appear inflated or inaccurate.
The types of medicines that can lead to false A1C levels include drugs that cause hemolysis, such as dapsone, may interfere with glycation. This study also found evidence that extremely high doses of antioxidants may also affect glycation.
Research suggests that chronic or overuse of certain medications is what may skew the results of an A1C test to be high. However, low doses of medications like aspirin have also been found to cause A1C levels to skew low.
Changes In Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes affects the way the body regulates and uses blood sugar.
When a person eats, the body breaks down food into simple sugars, or glucose. Cells use insulin to absorb glucose from the blood and can then use this for energy.
In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not use insulin effectively. This causes excess glucose in the blood.
Fatigue and weakness may result when the cells do not get enough glucose. Diabetes medications, such as insulin or metformin, help more of this sugar to move into the cells and prevent it from building to harmful levels in the blood.
A potential side effect of diabetes medications is low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
Low blood sugar can also cause fatigue, especially in people who have frequent episodes and do not get enough warning that their blood sugar levels are dropping. A person can still feel fatigued even after treatment for low blood sugar.
While not all of those symptoms account for feelings of fatigue directly, many of them may contribute to an overall feeling of being unwell. These persistent and uncomfortable sensations can have severe mental and physical effects that may lead to the development of fatigue.
Some of the symptoms of diabetes may also disrupt a persons sleep pattern. For example, a person with the condition can wake up several times every night to use the bathroom or get a drink. People with type 2 diabetes have a of developing a sleep disorder.
Why Does Diabetes Cause Tiredness
Diabetes and fatigue are often discussed together. In fact, if you have diabetes, youre more than likely going to experience fatigue at some point. However, there may be much more to this seemingly simple correlation.
Diabetes, which affects your blood sugar and the production of insulin by the pancreas, can also have inflammatory markers. A wealth of studies have looked at the possible connections between diabetes and fatigue.
It can be challenging to treat both diabetes and fatigue. However, there are numerous options that can help. You may first need to see your doctor to determine the exact cause of your fatigue.
Treating both diabetes and fatigue is most successful when regarded as whole, rather than separate, conditions. Healthy lifestyle habits, social support, and mental health therapies can positively impact diabetes and fatigue at the same time.
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Why Do Diabetics Get Sleepy After They Eat
The fatigue you feel soon after eating could be caused by postprandial hyperglycemia, or a spike in blood sugar soon after eating. It is common for the blood sugar to rise modestly after meals and then return back toward normal within an hour or two.
Can you have a high A1C and not be diabetic?
Yes, some conditions may raise the level of A1C in your blood, but that does not mean you have diabetes. According to a study by Elizabeth Selvin, a single elevated A1C level greater than 6% was found in the general population with no history of diabetes.
Why is tiredness a symptom of diabetes?
With diabetes, fatigue is caused by a number of factors, including: High blood sugar levels, either from a lack of the insulin horomone or from insulin resistance, can affect the bodys ability to get glucose from the blood into cells to meet our energy needs.
What causes extreme fatigue in type 1 diabetes?
The most common cause of acute fatigue in people with Type 1 diabetes is hypoglycemia. A symptom of low blood sugar that is sometimes missed, a feeling of sudden tiredness or being drained of all energy should prompt you to check your glucose levels.
What are the effects of high HbA1c levels?
High HbA1c was also associated with nerve pain. In a study of 417 diabetics, those reporting pain were more than twice as likely to have HbA1c levels > 8% . Both high HbA1c levels and their variability , could predict the development of kidney disease in T1DM and T2DM patients .
Do High Triglycerides Cause Brain Fog And Fatigue Thyroid And Gut Health
I have talked about triglycerides in many of my other articles. Elevated triglycerides is a hallmark sign of a condition called insulin resistance. But, can high triglycerides be a contributor to brain fog, fatigue or low energy levels?
Chronic elevation of triglycerides can lead to cirrhosis of the liver which is basically scar tissue buildup which causes liver damage.
However, when you get past all of the liver and cardiovascular problems associated with high triglycerides, what does it mean in plain English?
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What Does The A1c Test Measure
When sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells. Everybody has some sugar attached to their hemoglobin, but people with higher blood sugar levels have more. The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin.
What Do You Do If Your Blood Sugar Is Too High
The best thing to do when your blood sugar levels are too high is to eat low carb and high protein meals and drink a high amount of water. Did you forget to take your insulin? You can do a correction bolus or take your medication before you eat. If the high blood sugar continues, contact your doctor and ask them to review your current dosages of insulin or if they need to prescribe another type of medicine for diabetes that will help keep blood glucose levels within the normal range.
Keep testing your blood sugar levels at regular intervals to make sure your high blood sugar is dropping, and if so, not dropping too fast and too much.
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Can You Have High A1c Without Diabetes
The short answer is yes: it is possible to have high A1C levels without diabetes. Because there are a number of lifestyle factors that can affect your hemoglobin, youâll want to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine what is causing your high A1C level.
From there, you may be able to implement certain dietary and lifestyle changes that can help you improve your level. For some people, setting an A1C goal with your doctor may help you track and lower your levels over time.
Now that youâre familiar with the A1C test and what it measures, letâs explore eight reasons why A1C may be high in people who do not have diabetes.
What Diabetes Does To Your Body
Diabetes wreaks havoc on the way your blood glucose, or blood sugar affects your body. Blood glucose is your bodys source of energy for the cells in your muscles and tissues, but it only needs a certain amount.
How much you have is controlled by your bodys insulin, a hormone generated by your pancreas designed to regulate blood glucose levels. Diabetes lowers or eliminates the insulin in your body, causing a spike in blood glucose in your body and leading to a lot of complications.
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Recurrent Low Blood Sugar
Just like high blood sugar can give you fatigue, so can low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is when blood sugar is low or below 70 mg/dL.
One of the symptoms of low blood sugar is fatigue, which can occur along with common symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and hunger. Frequent low blood glucose levels can be a source of diabetes fatigue.
When To Call Your Doctor
Let them know if you have any of the common symptoms of type 2 diabetes or if you have questions about type 2 diabetes. It’s important to get tested and start treatment early to prevent serious complications.
Show Sources
American Diabetes Association: “Diabetes Symptoms,” âEye Complications,â âDiabetes and Hearing Loss,â âKidney Disease ,â âSkin Complications.â
American College of Endocrinology: “Position statement on inpatient diabetes and metabolic control.”
Physicians Desk Reference : ”Diabetes – Type 2 Symptoms.”
Mayo Clinic: âDiabetes symptoms: When diabetes symptoms are a concern,â âDiabetic hypoglycemia,â âDiabetic neuropathy,â âHyperglycemia in diabetes,â âType 2 diabetes.â
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research: âXerostomia Due to Systemic Disease: A Review of 20 Conditions and Mechanisms.â
Evidence-Based Diabetes Management: âThe Persistent Complication of Hypoglycemia in Diabetics.â
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: âDiabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke,â âType 2 Diabetes.â
Johns Hopkins Medicine: âDiabetes and High Blood Pressure.â
CDC: âDiabetes.â
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Heart Disease And Stroke
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of heart disease. Chronic high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels that control the heart.
Diabetics also tend to develop heart disease younger than those without diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely it is you also have heart disease.
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. It is caused by the buildup of plaque in the walls of the coronary arteriesâthe blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
Plaqueâcholesterol, fat, and cellular wasteâbuilds up in a process known as atherosclerosis. This decreases blood flow to the heart, which can cause a heart attack.
Decreased blood flow to the brain can also cause a stroke. Diabetes is linked to an increased risk of stroke and higher rates of mortality from stroke.
Diabetes also increases your risk of other heart disease risk factors. These include:
Diabetic eye diseases can largely be prevented by managing your blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood glucose levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the back of your eyes.
Damaged blood vessels may leak fluid and cause swelling. New blood vessels that form may be weak. These blood vessels can bleed into the middle part of the eye, cause scarring, or dangerously increase pressure inside your eye.
Diabetic eye changes are often without symptoms at first. Eye damage can begin during the prediabetes stage and typically progresses slowly.
When To See A Doctor
You should visit your healthcare provider if you have new-onset fatigue that isnt usual for you. While fatigue isnt usually a cause for concern on its own, it can more rarely be a sign of something more serious.
If youre struggling with managing your diabetes, whether burnout or dealing with high blood sugars, it warrants a visit with your diabetes care team.
Know that youre never on your own when it comes to managing your diabetes and that you have help and support in your care team.
If you dont already have a mental health care provider, today is a great time to look into finding one. Everyones mental health should be as much of a priority as their physical health, and there is never any shame in seeking help. We all can benefit from mental health support!
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Interestingly Your Ethnicity Can Also Affect Your A1c Result
Everyone has a different type of hemoglobin, depending on their ethnicity. A1C test works best with type A hemoglobin. Hemoglobin variants such, C, D or E, can affect the precision of A1C as well .
It is crucial to note that the A1C test is not always accurate. Repeated checks can give higher or lower measurements for the same blood samples. Doctors rely on other tests as well called fructosamine blood tests. This test gives an extended-term assessment of your sugar level.
To view the list of factors that may cause a high A1C result, please click here.
Do you need more information on the Haemoglobin A1C blood test, please click here
Diabetes And Fatigue: How To Fight It
One of the most significant symptoms experienced by people with diabetes is excessive fatigue, a feeling that about half of people with diabetes report experiencing.
However, care should be taken to differentiate acute fatigue from chronic fatigue in order to explain the causes specific to each and decide how best to treat them.
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Signs That May Indicate You Are At Risk For Diabetes
**This article is a repost of an earlier written article. We are reposting because we believe the information is valuable and pertinent to many.**
According to the CDC, over 9% of Americans are living with diabetes. This illness is becoming increasingly common, with 1.5 million Americans being diagnosed with diabetes every year.
There are some serious complications that can come with having high blood sugar such as heart failure and stroke. However, diabetes can be managed with prescription medication, diet, and exercise to help you live a normal, healthy life.
Hypothyroidism And High T3
According to the lab values provided above, particularly the elevated T3, the subject would likely be incorrectly diagnosed as hyper-thyroid by their doctor.
While her T3 levels are above the recommended reference range, its important to ALWAYS observe symptoms along with temperature and pulse when assessing thyroid function.
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I cover everything you need to know about thyroid testing and more in this FREE training called The Ultimate Thyroid Testing Protocol.
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Her basal morning body temperature is consistently low and never reaches close to normal throughout the day.
If she were truly hyper-thyroid, her body temperature would be above normal, not suppressed.
She would also exhibit hyper-thyroid symptoms instead of the common hypothyroid symptoms of which she complains, such as always feeling cold.
When we see high T3 levels and low body temperature, we know that thyroid hormone is being blocked and not being used properly.
In some cases, we find this being caused by either low cholesterol or low vitamin A, yet both have been ruled out in this case.
Her reverse-T3 is higher than we like to see, which can be another factor.
Ideally we like to see reverse-T3 at the low end of the reference range.
It often increases in response to stress in an attempt to reserve energy by inhibiting metabolism and the use of T3.
The suspected elevated cortisol mentioned above is likely at play here.
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The Importance Of Symptoms
Modern diabetes care is characterized by a strong focus on evidence-based, number-driven targets and outcomes. While this approach does have its benefits, it has shortcomings and limitations as well, one of which is that little attention is paid to the symptomatic well-being of the persons with diabetes. At times, in fact, complaints may be neglected, and symptoms sacrificed, to justify the use of particular therapeutic strategies or tools. A casual reading of modern guidelines suggests that the end-target is more important than the means . Understandably, such clinical judgment is bound to be met with patient dissatisfaction. One symptom which may be ignored in the quest for optimal numerical end-targets, is fatigue.
What Happens To Your Body When Your A1c Is High
High blood sugar levels increase your risk for blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stomach ulcers, and nerve damage. People with diabetes with a higher A1C may experience blurred vision or headaches because the excess glucose in their bloodstream is being used as a fuel source for anaerobic metabolism which raises lactic acid production.
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Early Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes
1. Frequent urination
When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. One of the early warning signs of diabetes is frequent urination that is urgent enough to wake you up to go to the bathroom during sleep.
2. Increased thirst
While your kidneys are working overtime and youre urinating more frequently, valuable fluids will be pulled from your tissues. Frequent urination will make you feel constantly thirsty.
3. Fatigue
When your blood sugar is high, your body works hard to get rid of the excess sugar. Not only does this process take a toll on your body, but it also alters the way that your body uses glucose for energy. Excessively high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, has fatiguing effects among other symptoms. Additionally, the dehydration that accompanies more frequent urination is a common cause of fatigue in diabetics.
4. Blurred vision
High blood sugar can cause damage to the small blood vessels of the eye, resulting in a swollen lens that can cause blurred vision. As blood sugar levels rise and lower, your vision may return to normal or worsen, respectively.
5. Increased hunger
When you have high blood sugar, your body is actively looking to get rid of it. Because your body expels so much of the glucose you’re getting from your food, you may have increased feelings of hunger.
6. Unexplained weight loss
7. Slow healing cuts and wounds
8. Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
9. Skin discoloration
A1c Levels In People With Diabetes
For people with diabetes, an A1C under 7% is typically considered good control. Research shows an A1C above 9% significantly increases the risk of diabetic complications. For adults with diabetes, the target A1C range is typically between 7% and 8%. This depends on your age and other health factors.
A1C levels correspond to the following average blood sugar levels:
| A1C Level |
| 240 mg/dL |
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