A1c 5.9

Just got my blood test back my A1c is elevated I'm not overweight and I eat healthy but I'm 58 and I do drink lots of beer does beer raise your a1c and can you lower it once its at this high number

Hi Joey and welcome to the Diabetes Forum. Yes, beer can raise blood sugar because it's full of carbs. Here is a website which lists all the nutrients, including carbs, of food. You can search for the content of all different kinds of food and drink. nutritiondata.self.com/

A 5.9 A1c is equal to about an average of 125 blood sugar, which is considered elevated. Most doctors would tell you to watch your diet and have a nice day. Watching your diet means different things to different people and also under different circumstances, it can and should vary.

Regarding blood sugar, it means watch your carbs (anything made with flour, any flour, any food made with sugar, potatoes and rice). So, if you want to lower your A1c, you should cut back on beer or drink lite beer and cut back on those carbs. If you have any family members who have diabetes, then you need to do this seriously because you might indeed be following in their footsteps. Type 2 diabetes runs in families. And sometimes it catches up with us in later years.

Being of normal weight is to your benefit and that is really great!

I'm glad you are asking questions because that's how you can take control of your health! Cheers! (With a Bud Lite!)

Good morning, Joey! You have a couple of advantages in this blood sugar fight: you're not overweight and you work out. Working out helps control blood sugar so I hope you continue that. If you're combining cardio with muscle toning and resistant training, it's even better. The disadvantages working against you is family history. When our family members have diabetes, we're also prone to it or blood sugar problems. At this point, your blood sugar is a little elevated.

Yes, you can prevent diabetes or rather prevent having to be on medication by cutting back on carbs as I wrote in my post above. The problem with any alcohol is mostly with the liver, so maybe you should re-consider drinking as much as you do. Red wine in moderation would be a good choice but you should talk this over with your doctor. If you're on other medication or if you are really drinking too much alcohol in general, you may be harming yourself in the long run. Mixed drinks and fortified wine (sherry, port, vermouth) have added sugar and are not good choices. Straight wine will not raise blood sugar, but I'm not advocating drinking more than a glass a day but you should clear this with your doctor.

So, your question about prevention of diabetes by changing your life style is really about what you're eating, I think. Can you write what you eat for meals everyday? That would help me give you a better answer.

Hi, from what you wrote, you have a varied menu but I do think the seven beers are contributing to the elevated blood sugar. This website says that one Coors Light has 102 calories and 5 grams carbs each. Maybe the amount of the beer is the problem. I'm guessing.

Normally, eating bread, pizza and pasta will also keep your blood sugar high but since you're working out a lot, you might also be helping keep some of that under control. If you didn't work out as you do, your blood sugar would be much higher.

www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-ales-beers-light-beer-4-2-alc_f-ZmlkPTY3NDI5.html

Since your blood sugar levels are elevated (Please note that they are not critical.), then maybe cutting back somewhat on the carbs will help. For instance, eat half of the ziti that you would normally eat and have more meat and veggies or salad with that meal. Try to drink less beer. Personally, I would be concerned about having seven beers but maybe you need to discuss this with your doctor.