Can you lower A1c without metformin?

You can reliably lower your A1c through diet and exercise. But if your doctor has prescribed medication, such as metformin, miglitol, or insulin, it's important to take them exactly as prescribed. If you miss doses regularly, your blood sugar numbers may creep up and cause your A1c to rise.
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What is the fastest way to lower your A1C naturally?

Here are three tips for how to lower A1C naturally:
  1. Eat a balanced diet. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in fiber. ...
  2. Get active. Active muscles are better at using insulin (a hormone that helps your body manage blood sugar levels) and using sugar for energy. ...
  3. Manage stress.
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At what A1C level should you start metformin?

Recent guidelines recommend considering use of metformin in patients with prediabetes (fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL, 2-hr post-load glucose 140-199 mg/dL, or A1C 5.7-6.4%), especially in those who are <60 years old, have a BMI >35 kg/m2, or have a history of gestational diabetes.
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How long does it take to lower A1C without medication?

It's important to understand that lowering your A1C levels is a gradual (slow) process. As discussed, your A1C, unlike a blood glucose test, measures your average blood sugar over a period of 2 to 3 months. This means, it can take up to 3 months to notice significant changes in your A1C.
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How can I lower my blood sugar without metformin?

Manage Diabetes without Medication
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Choose to eat more whole fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and lean proteins. ...
  2. Lose weight. ...
  3. Exercise. ...
  4. Make a commitment to exercising regularly by finding a partner. ...
  5. Test your blood sugar. ...
  6. Get enough quality sleep. ...
  7. Getting regular checkups.
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How to Lower A1c / Top 5 Tips to Reduce HbA1c levels



Is there an alternative to metformin?

Another type of drug, called salicylate, works in a similar way to metformin and scientists think it could be a good alternative for people with type 2 diabetes who can't take metformin. Salicylate is already used to treat other health problems, like pain and inflammation.
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What lowers A1C the fastest?

7 Ways to Improve Your A1C
  • Exercise. Physical activity helps your body use insulin more efficiently, so it can better process the glucose in your blood. ...
  • Eat Right. ...
  • Take Medications as Prescribed. ...
  • Manage Your Stress. ...
  • Stick to a Schedule. ...
  • Drink in Moderation. ...
  • Monitor Your Numbers.
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Can I get my A1C down without medication?

You can reliably lower your A1c through diet and exercise. But if your doctor has prescribed medication, such as metformin, miglitol, or insulin, it's important to take them exactly as prescribed. If you miss doses regularly, your blood sugar numbers may creep up and cause your A1c to rise.
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At what A1C level does damage start?

5 Blood vessel damage can start at A1C levels above 7%. The risk of complications significantly increases at A1Cs above 9%.
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Do I need medication if my A1c is 7?

There is no specific A1c level that makes it necessary for you to be on medication. While an A1c of 6.5% or higher is indicative of diabetes, some people may need to start taking medication for an A1c under 6.5%. And others with an A1c over 6.5% aren't prescribed any medication.
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At what A1c level do you become diabetic?

Diagnosing Prediabetes or Diabetes

A normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes.
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Is it worth it to take metformin?

Metformin's benefits may extend far beyond diabetes

For decades we've known that metformin does more than just help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. It also offers them cardiovascular benefits, including lower rates of death due to cardiovascular disease.
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What foods bring your A1C down?

Foods that can lower your A1C
  • Beans and legumes (black beans, kidney beans, pintos, chickpeas, white beans, and lentils)
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and peanuts.
  • Whole grain pasta, cereal, and oats.
  • Flax seeds.
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What foods to avoid if your A1C is high?

Worst Choices
  • Fried meats.
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat, such as ribs.
  • Pork bacon.
  • Regular cheeses.
  • Poultry with skin.
  • Deep-fried fish.
  • Deep-fried tofu.
  • Beans prepared with lard.
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At what A1C can you stop medication?

If you don't have other health issues, you can usually discontinue diabetes medication if you meet the following criteria:
  • An A1C less than 7%
  • A fasting morning blood glucose under 130 mg/dL.
  • A blood glucose level below 180 mg/dL at random or after a meal.
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Can high A1C be reversed?

Some researchers also suggest that A1C can be improved by a low-carbohydrate diet in the absence of weight loss (see a review of evidence here). However, without accompanying weight loss, a low-carb diet may not address the fatigued beta cells that are at the root of type 2 diabetes.
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How fast can A1C drop in 3 months?

Remember what your A1C measures: your average blood sugars over the past three months. The good news is that if your A1C is on the high side, say, 10% or higher, it will likely start to drop within two to three months (in other words, the higher it is, the faster it comes down).
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How much can A1C drop in 30 days?

If you, from one day to the next, decreased your daily average blood sugar from 300 mg/dl (16.7 mmol/l) to 120 mg/dl (6.7 mmol/l), your A1c would decrease from 12% to 6% in around two months.
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What drinks lower A1C?

7 Drinks That Keep Blood Sugar Low
  • Water. You can never go wrong with drinking water — it does make up about 60 percent of the human body. ...
  • Unsweetened tea. ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Plant-based milk. ...
  • Whole-fruit smoothies. ...
  • Flavored carbonated water. ...
  • Any low-sugar beverages.
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Why should you not stop taking metformin?

Why Shouldn't You Stop Taking Metformin? Metformin works by decreasing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood, making your body more sensitive to insulin's effects. If you suddenly discontinue use, it can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels.
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What happens if I stop taking metformin?

If you stop taking metformin abruptly, your health may suffer. You may experience side effects such as higher blood sugars, an increased A1c, and even weight gain. Over time, higher blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes complications, including: Retinopathy and blindness.
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What are the dangers of taking metformin?

Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
...
Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • feel very tired.
  • have muscle weakness.
  • have a sore, red tongue.
  • have mouth ulcers.
  • have problems with your vision.
  • have pale or yellow skin (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin.
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