HBA1C 7.1% - What it means, average sugar level, diet and exercise
An Hba1c value of 7.1% probably means that you are diabetic. Additional testing is usually required before a confirmatory diagnosis can be made. This article tells you what your average sugar value is, and how to incorporate diet and exercise in your lifestyle to improve your sugar control.
Does an HBA1C level of 7.1 confirm diabetes?
A diagnosis of diabetes can only be done if two seperate values of HBA1C are above 6.4%. A combination of a
glucose tolerance test and an
hba1c are usually done to confirm diabetes. Read the section on diagnosis of diabetes at the bottom of this page for more information.. With your HBA1C level of
7.1, you should test on another occassion, or get an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test done. Ypur doctor will interpret these two values before giving you a diagnosis.
What is my average sugar value with an HBA1C of 7.1% ?
Based on the formula used to convert HBA1C to 3 month average glucose levels, your estimated average glucose is
157.1 mg/dl. Please note that this is an approximate value.
What are the symptoms of an HBA1C of 7.1% ?
Diabetes is associated with a wide variety of sympotms. With an HBA1C value of 7.1 %, you may find some of these symptoms :
Increased hunger,Weight loss,Frequent urination,Blurred vision,Lack of concentration
Can exercise help lower an HBA1C value of 7.1% ?
HBA1C levels can be improved to a great extent by following a regular and consistent exercise plan. Exercise helps in various ways, by reducing insulin resistance, improving uptake of glucose by muscles and also helps loose weight. The following are some types of exercise that you can do on a weekly basis. Remember that the American Diabetes association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise a week for diabetics.
Aerobic Exercise Plan for HBA1C 7.1%
Monday |
Walking (moderate intensity) - 45 minutes |
Tuesday |
Rest day |
Wednesday |
Cycling (vigorous intensity) - 60 minutes |
Thursday |
Swimming (moderate intensity) - 40 minutes |
Friday |
Rest day |
Saturday |
Dancing (moderate intensity) - 45 minutes |
Sunday |
Rowing (vigorous intensity) - 30 minutes |
Resistance Exercise Plan for HBA1C 7.1%
Monday |
Lat pulldown,Shoulder press,Tricep dips,Squats,Chest press |
Tuesday |
Rest day |
Wednesday |
Seated row,Leg press,Plank,Lunges,Bicep curls |
Thursday |
Rest day |
Friday |
Pull-ups,Overhead press,Tricep pushdowns,Deadlifts,Push-ups |
Saturday |
Rest day |
Sunday |
Rest day |
Balance Exercise Plan for HBA1C 7.1%
Monday |
Lower body resistance exercises |
Tuesday |
Core resistance exercises |
Wednesday |
Yoga |
Thursday |
Tai chi |
Friday |
Rest |
Saturday |
Rest |
Sunday |
Balance exercises |
Stretching Exercise Plan for HBA1C 7.1%
Monday |
Dynamic stretching |
Tuesday |
PNF stretching |
Wednesday |
Balance exercises |
Thursday |
Yoga |
Friday |
Tai chi |
Saturday |
Rest |
Sunday |
Static stretching |
What kind of meal plans or foods can I eat with an HBA1C of 7.1%?
Low glycemic index foods, combined with a good exercise regimen can help control your sugar. Here we have suggested some meal plans, one each for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They include foods recommeded in diabetes.
Breakfast meal plan for HBA1C 7.1 %
breakfast |
Steel-cut oatmeal topped with ground flax seeds, chopped walnuts, and fresh berries. Serve with a side of scrambled egg whites. |
Lunch meal plan for HBA1C 7.1 %
lunch |
Quinoa salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette dressing. Include a side of grilled shrimp or chicken. |
Dinner meal plan for HBA1C 7.1 %
dinner |
Vegetable stir-fry made with tofu, bell peppers, snap peas, and broccoli, served over a bed of brown rice or cauliflower rice. |
What medications should I take for an HBA1C of 7.1%?
Medication should only be started after consulting a registered medical practioner and diabetlogist. Medications to be given vary with the level of HBA1C. For your HBA1C of 7.1%, the following strategy is to be considered: Single oral hypoglycemic medication like
Biguaides or DPP4 inhibitors or Sulfonylureas. After observing the response for 2-6 months, you should repeat you HBA1C. Further managment can be decided based on the HBA1C level at follow up.
What complications can arise with a HBA1C value of 7.1%?
Diabetes is associated with many complications, especially on other organs of the body. Here are a few complications that may arise with long standing diabetes : Heart diseases , kidney diseases, injuries to feet and toes, eye diseases of the retina, urinary tract infections etc.
Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes
There are 3 tests that are used for the diagnosis of diabetes. These include Fasting Blood Glucose, Glucose Tolerance Test and the HBA1C test.
Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association recommend that a patient should be tested on two seperate days. If possible 2 different tests should be carried, instead of repeating the same test.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
In this test you need to be fasting for a period of at least 8 hours. A single blood sample is drawn. After this, you are given 75gm of glucose solution to drink. 2 hours later another sample is taken. The following table lists out the diagnostic criteria based on the results. Given your HBA1C value of 7.1 %, and an estimated estimated_average_glucose of 157.1 mg/dl, you should probably have a value above 200 on this test.
2 hour Glucose Value | Diagnosis |
Less than 140 | Normal |
140 to 200 | Prediabetes |
More than 200 | Diabetes |
Fasting Blood Glucose
The value of your sugar after an overnight fast of 8 hours is called
fasting blood glucose. A value above 126 mg/dl is indicative of diabetes.
HBA1C test
A value above 6.4% is indicative of diabetes.