A Better Guide to Understanding A1C

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When it comes to understanding your metabolic health, A1C is often considered the gold standard. It’s the test most doctors use to assess average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. But here’s the thing: while A1C is helpful, it doesn’t give you the full picture of what’s really happening in your body day-to-day.

At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine in North Phoenix and North Scottsdale, Arizona, we often meet patients who are told their A1C is “normal”, yet they still experience symptoms of blood sugar imbalance: fatigue, irritability, sugar cravings, poor sleep, or difficulty losing weight. If this sounds like you, it’s time to look deeper.

What A1C measures (and what it misses)

A1C (or HbA1c) measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in your blood, essentially, how much sugar has attached to your red blood cells. Since red blood cells live about 90 days, A1C reflects your average blood sugar over that time.

But here’s the catch: averages can be misleading. Two people with vastly different blood sugar patterns, one with stable numbers and another with extreme highs and lows, can have the same A1C. The problem is that A1C hides the spikes and crashes that can contribute to fatigue, inflammation, and long-term complications.

For example, a person whose blood sugar swings between 50 and 250 mg/dL might have the same A1C as someone who stays between 90 and 110 mg/dL. But their risk profiles, and how they feel every day, are very different.

Factors that can skew your A1C results

A1C is not always 100% accurate. Several factors can affect its reliability:

• Anemia or other blood disorders: These can affect the lifespan of red blood cells and alter your A1C reading.
• Certain medications: Drugs like corticosteroids can skew results.
• Ethnic or genetic differences: Some populations naturally glycate hemoglobin differently, which can falsely elevate or lower A1C.
• Lab variability: Different labs may use slightly different methods or reference ranges.

This is why a holistic approach that includes additional tests and real-time blood sugar monitoring can offer a clearer, more personalized view.

Why real-time data matters when monitoring blood glucose levels

Enter Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), a game changer in blood sugar tracking. CGMs provide 24/7 data about your blood sugar levels, updating every few minutes and showing trends throughout your day and night.

With CGM, you can:

• See how your body reacts to individual meals
• Spot blood sugar spikes and dips in real time
• Understand the impact of stress, sleep, and exercise
• Make informed food and lifestyle choices and incorporate them immediately

Rather than waiting three months for your next A1C result, CGM gives you instant feedback and empowers you to take control of your health in the moment.

Lifestyle factors that impact blood sugar levels

Blood sugar is affected by more than just your carbohydrate intake. These lifestyle elements play a critical role:

• Sleep: Poor or inconsistent sleep can raise fasting blood sugar and reduce insulin sensitivity.
• Stress: Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can increase blood sugar levels.
• Exercise: Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps stabilize blood sugar.
• Alcohol: Can cause blood sugar fluctuations, either sharp rises or delayed lows, depending on the drink and your metabolic response.

Even hydration plays a role. Dehydration can cause temporary spikes in blood sugar due to a higher concentration of glucose in your bloodstream. 

Taking a holistic view of your daily habits provides deeper insight into what truly supports blood sugar stability.

Dietary strategies for more stable blood sugar

• Food sequencing: Eat protein and fiber before consuming carbohydrates to slow digestion and reduce glucose spikes. So, eat protein first (meat, etc.), then fiber (veggies), then carbs (potatoes, rice, etc).
• Avoid “naked carbs”: Eating carbs on their own can spike blood sugar. Always pair them with fat and protein when possible.
• Balanced meals: Prioritize whole foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates.
• Smart snacking: Opt for nutrient-dense foods like almonds, hard-boiled eggs, or hummus with veggies instead of sugary or processed snacks.

Also consider meal timing. Eating late at night can negatively impact blood sugar levels the next morning. Consistency in meal times and spacing meals evenly can support more stable blood sugar control.

Naturopathic support for blood sugar optimization

At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine, we use a full spectrum of functional tests and naturopathic tools to optimize metabolic health:

Comprehensive lab testing beyond A1C:

• Fasting insulin
• Glucose tolerance testing
• Cholesterol and triglycerides
• Liver function markers
• Inflammatory markers (ex: CRP)
• Hormone panels (cortisol, thyroid hormones, sex hormones)

Targeted natural interventions:

• Supplements like berberine, inositol, chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, and magnesium
• Herbal medicine to support stress and inflammation
• Individualized dietary guidance based on CGM and lab data
• Lifestyle coaching for sustainable changes in stress management, sleep hygiene, and movement

We don’t guess. We test, track, and tailor your care for results that last. Patients often find that this approach not only improves blood sugar regulation but also enhances energy, sleep quality, and overall wellness.

Personalized, real-time care that works

If you’ve been told your A1C is fine but still feel off, it’s not just in your head. A holistic, data-driven approach can help you uncover hidden imbalances and take meaningful action toward better metabolic health.

At Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine in North Phoenix and North Scottsdale, Arizona, we go beyond the numbers to help you understand your body. With real-time tracking, functional testing, and naturopathic blood sugar therapies, we empower you to take control of your blood sugar, and your long-term vitality.

Ready to upgrade your approach to blood sugar health? Become a Patient to get started.

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