Knowing your HbA1c levels can make a big difference if you’re managing type 2 diabetes or simply monitoring your health.
The HbA1c test shows your average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months, giving you a better idea of your long-term blood glucose management.
But even small changes in your HbA1c can have a big impact on your health.
What is an HbA1c?
The HbA1c blood test measures your average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months.
HbA1c refers to glucose attached to a protein (haemoglobin) in red blood cells. Red blood cells live for about three months; by looking at the amount of glucose they carry, you get a longer-term understanding of your blood glucose management. Regular blood glucose tests (or finger-prick tests) only provide a snapshot of that particular moment.
What happens when your HbA1c goes up?
Research has shown that even a small rise in your HbA1c can increase your risk of serious health problems.
A 1% increase in HbA1c levels has been linked to a 30% higher chance of dying from any cause and a 40% higher chance of dying from heart disease or stroke, particularly if you have diabetes.
Even people without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis need to pay attention.
In one large study, over 11,000 people without diabetes showed a higher risk of heart disease or death if their HbA1c levels were elevated.
This is why keeping your HbA1c in a healthy range is important for everyone.
What is a healthy HbA1c range?
A HbA1c blood test result will be shown as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your average blood glucose levels have been over the past 2-3 months.
In Australia, the HbA1c blood test ranges are classified as follows:
Below 6% – This is considered a normal HbA1c level for people without diabetes.
6.0% to 6.4% – This range indicates pre-diabetes, which means you have higher-than-normal blood glucose levels and are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
6.5% or higher – A result in this range means you likely have type 2 diabetes.
How can HbA1c be improved?
The good news? Lowering your HbA1c can help reduce your risk of life-threatening complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and stroke.
The better news? There is an easy, sustainable way to improve blood glucose and reduce your HbA1c. By lowering the amount of carbs you eat, you’ll lower your blood glucose levels. All carbs turn into sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream, so minimising the carbohydrates you eat will dramatically affect your HbA1c.
Michelle K, decided to try a different approach to medication when her HbA1c rose to a dangerously high 7.9%. She joined Defeat Diabetes and learnt how to eat to manage her blood glucose levels.
“Within 12 months of following the Defeat Diabetes Low Carb Program, I had lost 25 kgs. Today my HbA1c is at 5.8%, and my fasting insulin is under 10. It’s been easy. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I’ll be healthy and well for a long time.”
Lowering your HbA1c can be life-saving
When it comes to HbA1c, even the smallest improvements can have a huge effect on your health. Research shows that reducing your HbA1c by just 0.2% can lower your risk of dying by 10%. That’s an enormous benefit for such a small drop!
Other major health issues that are impacted by an elevated HbA1c include:
Heart health:
People with HbA1c levels of 6.5% or higher are at much greater risk of serious heart problems, even after receiving treatment for a heart attack.
Patients with elevated HbA1c levels had significantly higher rates of major heart events and mortality while in hospital compared to those whose HbA1c was below 6.5%.
Nerve health:
Maintaining a healthy HbA1c can also mean a 38% lower risk of neuropathy or damage or dysfunction of the nerves. This can cause symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, especially in the hands and feet and is a common complication of type 2 diabetes when high blood glucose levels damage the nerves over time.
Eye and kidney health:
Keeping your HbA1c in a healthy range is essential for protecting your eyes and kidneys. Research shows that people with stable HbA1c levels have a lower risk of developing retinopathy, a common eye condition in diabetes that can lead to vision loss.
The same study also showed that large swings in HbA1c are more likely to result in kidney damage, including a decline in kidney function over time.
By keeping your HbA1c in a healthier range, you’re not just managing diabetes—you’re actively reducing the risks of heart disease, stroke and other life-threatening conditions. It’s a reminder that even small improvements can add up to life-changing results.
Take control of your health
Knowing your HbA1c results helps you stay on top of your health.
“What gets measured gets managed, and tracking my stats motivates me because I can see the trends going down. We have to be accountable to ourselves.” said Bruce S, a Defeat Diabetes member who has recently achieved remission from type 2 diabetes.
Regularly checking your HbA1c and making lifestyle changes, such as eating a low carb diet and maintaining a healthy weight, can improve your HbA1c.
It’s also worth considering a few other tests to help manage your type 2 diabetes, in addition to your HbA1c:
- Fasting blood glucose: Measures your blood glucose levels after an overnight fast to see how well your body controls glucose.
- Fasting insulin: Assesses insulin levels in your blood, indicating how effectively your body responds to glucose..
- C-reactive protein (CRP): Checks for inflammation in the body, which is often linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Using these tests alongside HbA1c monitoring can give you a clearer picture of your metabolic health and help you make informed decisions to manage your blood glucose levels
Summary
Keeping your HbA1c in check is key to protecting your long-term health, and a low carb lifestyle can help you achieve that. Defeat Diabetes has helped more than 11,000 members learn how to improve their blood glucose. Our latest survey showed 2 in 3 members were able reached non-diabetes glucose levels and 87% improved their blood glucose levels overall.
Low carb eating is simple, effective and proven to stabilise blood glucose levels. Even a small improvement in your HbA1c could be life-saving, reducing your risk of severe complications and helping you live a longer, healthier life.
