Education for A1c 6.2%
Your A1c of 6.2% means you have prediabetes and are at very high risk of developing diabetes—you have a 25-50% chance of developing diabetes within the next 5 years if you don't take action now. 1
What This Number Means
An A1c of 6.2% falls in the prediabetes range (5.7-6.4%), which indicates your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months has been higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range (≥6.5%). 1, 2
You are at "very high risk" for diabetes because your A1c is above 6.0%, which puts you in the highest risk category for progression to diabetes. 1
Your risk of heart disease and stroke is also elevated at this A1c level, not just your diabetes risk. 1
Critical Lifestyle Changes You Must Make Now
Weight loss is your most powerful tool. You need to lose 5-7% of your current body weight—this means if you weigh 200 pounds, aim to lose 10-14 pounds. 2
Exercise requirements are specific:
- 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity (brisk walking where you can talk but not sing). 2
- Add resistance training (weights or resistance bands) twice weekly. 2
- Break this into manageable chunks: 30 minutes, 5 days per week works well.
Dietary changes to implement immediately:
- Reduce refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, sugary drinks, sweets). 2
- Increase fiber intake through vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. 2
- Focus on lean proteins and healthy fats (fish, chicken, nuts, olive oil). 2
Why You Must Act Now
Your risk increases dramatically as A1c rises—the relationship is not linear, meaning small increases in A1c lead to disproportionately larger increases in diabetes risk. 1
Lifestyle interventions are proven effective at your A1c level—studies show that weight loss and physical activity can prevent or delay diabetes by more than 50%. 1
Once you develop diabetes, you cannot reverse it, but right now you can prevent it entirely with aggressive lifestyle changes. 1
Follow-Up Testing
Recheck your A1c in 3 months to assess whether your lifestyle changes are working. 2
Annual A1c testing is the minimum if your initial changes are successful, but more frequent testing (every 3-6 months) is better while you're working to lower your levels. 2
Additional Testing You May Need
Fasting lipid panel to check cholesterol and assess cardiovascular risk. 2
Basic metabolic panel including kidney function tests, as prediabetes can affect the kidneys. 2
When Medication Might Be Considered
Metformin may be discussed if you have additional risk factors (obesity, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, or if lifestyle changes alone don't lower your A1c after 3-6 months). 2
However, lifestyle changes should be your first and primary intervention at this stage. 1
The Bottom Line
You are standing at a crossroads: aggressive lifestyle changes now can prevent diabetes entirely, but inaction will likely result in diabetes within 5 years. The interventions are intensive but the payoff—avoiding a lifetime of diabetes management, medications, and complications—is enormous. 1