HbA1c: 5.1
Elle Penner, MPH, RD
5 mins
What does an A1c level of 5.1 mean?
A hemoglobin A1c (aka HbA1c or A1c) level of 5.1 is considered optimal.
An A1c of 5.1 means that 5.1% of the hemoglobin in your blood is saturated with sugar. A1c levels between 4 and 5.6 percent indicate good blood glucose control over the last 2-3 months. Maintaining an optimal A1c is important for preventing diabetes and the complications associated with this diagnosis.
How to maintain optimal A1c levels
An A1c level of 5.1% means you have had good blood glucose control over the last few months. A1c typically increases with age [4], so it’s important to have your levels checked every so often, particularly if you’re at greater risk for developing prediabetes or diabetes.
Groups that are at greater risk for developing prediabetes/ diabetes include:
- Adults age 45 or older
- People of Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent
- Individuals with a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- Those who are overweight or obese
- People who are physically inactive
- Individuals with low HDL (good) cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
- Those with high blood pressure, or who take medicine for high blood pressure
- Women who had diabetes during pregnancy or who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Regardless of whether or not you’re at increased risk for prediabetes/ diabetes, having a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle are key to maintaining optimal A1c levels. Here are some things you can do to keep your levels in the green:
- Be active every day. Get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (about 30 minutes, 5 days per week).
- Fill half of your plate with non-starchy veggies at every meal, and incorporate a source of lean protein and plant-based fat to assist with blood sugar control.
- Limit refined carbohydrates and added sugar, and choose whole-grain carbs such as whole wheat bread/ pasta, quinoa, farro, and steel-cut oats, instead.
- Lose excess weight if you are overweight or obese.
- Follow your diabetes treatment plan if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
- Manage stress and get adequate sleep to help balance hormone levels that can affect blood sugar.
References
- All About Your A1C. (2018, August 21). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a1c.html
- Diabetes Risk - What Causes Diabetes. (n.d.). American Diabetes Association. Retrieved September 14, 2021, from https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-risk
- Cherney, K. (2020, June 18). A Complete List of Diabetes Medications. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/medications-list
- Pani, L. N., Korenda, L., Meigs, J. B., Driver, C., Chamany, S., Fox, C. S., Sullivan, L., D'Agostino, R. B., & Nathan, D. M. (2008). Effect of aging on A1C levels in individuals without diabetes: evidence from the Framingham Offspring Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004. Diabetes care, 31(10), 1991–1996. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc08-0577
