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Your A1c just came back high. Now what?

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April 15, 2025

Your A1c just came back high. Now what?

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Your provider says your A1c is high. Maybe you’re feeling surprised, confused, or even a little scared. You’re not alone—and this number doesn’t have to stay high forever. Let’s break it down and show you what this number means and what steps you can take starting today.

💡 First: What Is A1c?

Your A1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Even if your daily numbers look okay, your A1c gives the bigger picture. Here’s how to understand it:

  • Below 5.7% = normal
  • 5.7–6.4% = prediabetes
  • 6.5% or higher = diabetes

📚 Learn more from the CDC: What is the A1c test?

‍

đŸš© Why a High A1c Matters

When blood sugar stays high for too long, it can quietly cause damage to your body—like:

  • Nerve pain or tingling
  • Vision loss
  • Kidney problems
  • Heart disease

That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news: you can lower your A1c with small, steady changes—and support from your care team.

‍

✅ Step 1: Make a simple food swap

You don’t need to give up all your favorite foods—but some changes can make a big difference. Try this:

  • Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa
  • Choose water or sparkling water instead of soda
  • Eat more veggies at lunch and dinner

🍎 Smart food tips from the American Diabetes Association

‍

🏃 Step 2: Move your body (even a little!)

You don’t have to join a gym. Walking, dancing, cleaning the house—it all helps your body use sugar better. Start with just 10–15 minutes a day and build from there. đŸš¶â™€ïž How exercise helps blood sugar (NIH guide)

‍

💊 Step 3: Take medications as directed

If you’ve been prescribed medication, it’s important to take it every day—even if you’re feeling okay. Your provider or Scene Health pharmacist can help you:

  • Understand how it works
  • Adjust your dose if needed
  • Avoid side effects

💙 Don’t forget: medications work best with lifestyle changes, not instead of them.

‍

📈 Step 4: Track your progress

Seeing your A1c go down can feel super motivating!

Your provider may retest every 3–6 months. Ask them:

  • “What’s my goal?”
  • “What should I watch for between visits?”
  • “How can I check my sugars at home?”

Need a tracker? Scene Health can provide one, or recommend a free app.

‍

💬 What to ask your Scene Health Coach or Scene Pharmacist

Not sure where to start? That’s okay. Here are some questions you can ask:

  • What’s one food I can change this week to help my A1c?
  • Am I on the right medication for me?
  • How can I tell if my sugar is too high or too low?
    When should I get retested?

📌 Final thought: You’ve got this

A high A1c doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means it’s time to take action—with support. Scene Health is here to walk with you. From food and fitness tips to med reminders and pharmacist check-ins, we’ve got your back. 💙 Let’s bring that A1c down—together.

‍

Watch Your A1c just came back high. Now what? Video
Watch Video - Your A1c just came back high. Now what?

Your A1c just came back high. Now what?

Enroll now
View more stories
Example H2
Example H3
Example H4

Your provider says your A1c is high. Maybe you’re feeling surprised, confused, or even a little scared. You’re not alone—and this number doesn’t have to stay high forever. Let’s break it down and show you what this number means and what steps you can take starting today.

💡 First: What Is A1c?

Your A1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Even if your daily numbers look okay, your A1c gives the bigger picture. Here’s how to understand it:

  • Below 5.7% = normal
  • 5.7–6.4% = prediabetes
  • 6.5% or higher = diabetes

📚 Learn more from the CDC: What is the A1c test?

‍

đŸš© Why a High A1c Matters

When blood sugar stays high for too long, it can quietly cause damage to your body—like:

  • Nerve pain or tingling
  • Vision loss
  • Kidney problems
  • Heart disease

That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news: you can lower your A1c with small, steady changes—and support from your care team.

‍

✅ Step 1: Make a simple food swap

You don’t need to give up all your favorite foods—but some changes can make a big difference. Try this:

  • Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa
  • Choose water or sparkling water instead of soda
  • Eat more veggies at lunch and dinner

🍎 Smart food tips from the American Diabetes Association

‍

🏃 Step 2: Move your body (even a little!)

You don’t have to join a gym. Walking, dancing, cleaning the house—it all helps your body use sugar better. Start with just 10–15 minutes a day and build from there. đŸš¶â™€ïž How exercise helps blood sugar (NIH guide)

‍

💊 Step 3: Take medications as directed

If you’ve been prescribed medication, it’s important to take it every day—even if you’re feeling okay. Your provider or Scene Health pharmacist can help you:

  • Understand how it works
  • Adjust your dose if needed
  • Avoid side effects

💙 Don’t forget: medications work best with lifestyle changes, not instead of them.

‍

📈 Step 4: Track your progress

Seeing your A1c go down can feel super motivating!

Your provider may retest every 3–6 months. Ask them:

  • “What’s my goal?”
  • “What should I watch for between visits?”
  • “How can I check my sugars at home?”

Need a tracker? Scene Health can provide one, or recommend a free app.

‍

💬 What to ask your Scene Health Coach or Scene Pharmacist

Not sure where to start? That’s okay. Here are some questions you can ask:

  • What’s one food I can change this week to help my A1c?
  • Am I on the right medication for me?
  • How can I tell if my sugar is too high or too low?
    When should I get retested?

📌 Final thought: You’ve got this

A high A1c doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means it’s time to take action—with support. Scene Health is here to walk with you. From food and fitness tips to med reminders and pharmacist check-ins, we’ve got your back. 💙 Let’s bring that A1c down—together.

‍

Watch Your A1c just came back high. Now what? Video
Watch Video - Your A1c just came back high. Now what?
Example H2
Example H3
Example H4

Your provider says your A1c is high. Maybe you’re feeling surprised, confused, or even a little scared. You’re not alone—and this number doesn’t have to stay high forever. Let’s break it down and show you what this number means and what steps you can take starting today.

💡 First: What Is A1c?

Your A1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Even if your daily numbers look okay, your A1c gives the bigger picture. Here’s how to understand it:

  • Below 5.7% = normal
  • 5.7–6.4% = prediabetes
  • 6.5% or higher = diabetes

📚 Learn more from the CDC: What is the A1c test?

‍

đŸš© Why a High A1c Matters

When blood sugar stays high for too long, it can quietly cause damage to your body—like:

  • Nerve pain or tingling
  • Vision loss
  • Kidney problems
  • Heart disease

That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news: you can lower your A1c with small, steady changes—and support from your care team.

‍

✅ Step 1: Make a simple food swap

You don’t need to give up all your favorite foods—but some changes can make a big difference. Try this:

  • Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa
  • Choose water or sparkling water instead of soda
  • Eat more veggies at lunch and dinner

🍎 Smart food tips from the American Diabetes Association

‍

🏃 Step 2: Move your body (even a little!)

You don’t have to join a gym. Walking, dancing, cleaning the house—it all helps your body use sugar better. Start with just 10–15 minutes a day and build from there. đŸš¶â™€ïž How exercise helps blood sugar (NIH guide)

‍

💊 Step 3: Take medications as directed

If you’ve been prescribed medication, it’s important to take it every day—even if you’re feeling okay. Your provider or Scene Health pharmacist can help you:

  • Understand how it works
  • Adjust your dose if needed
  • Avoid side effects

💙 Don’t forget: medications work best with lifestyle changes, not instead of them.

‍

📈 Step 4: Track your progress

Seeing your A1c go down can feel super motivating!

Your provider may retest every 3–6 months. Ask them:

  • “What’s my goal?”
  • “What should I watch for between visits?”
  • “How can I check my sugars at home?”

Need a tracker? Scene Health can provide one, or recommend a free app.

‍

💬 What to ask your Scene Health Coach or Scene Pharmacist

Not sure where to start? That’s okay. Here are some questions you can ask:

  • What’s one food I can change this week to help my A1c?
  • Am I on the right medication for me?
  • How can I tell if my sugar is too high or too low?
    When should I get retested?

📌 Final thought: You’ve got this

A high A1c doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means it’s time to take action—with support. Scene Health is here to walk with you. From food and fitness tips to med reminders and pharmacist check-ins, we’ve got your back. 💙 Let’s bring that A1c down—together.

‍

Watch Your A1c just came back high. Now what? Video
Watch Video - Your A1c just came back high. Now what?
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