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Reasons for Elevated A1Cs Without Diabetes

An A1c result indicates your average blood sugar over the past 120 days. While higher blood sugar is usually associated with diabetes, there are other reasons one can have an elevated A1c reading.

  1. Definition

    • The American Diabetes Association defines a normal A1c of a non-diabetic person to be between four and six percent. Any result above six percent is considered an elevated A1c.

    Frequency

    • According to a 2009 study conducted by Elizabeth Selvin, approximately 3.8 percent of adult Americans (or 7.1 million people) without diabetes have elevated A1cs.

    Causes

    • Dr. Selvin’s study found that risk factors for having an elevated A1c without having diabetes include being older, being male, being overweight, having hypercholesterolemia, being black (non-Hispanic), and having a lower level of education.

    Complications

    • Adults with elevated A1cs who do not have diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.

    Other Causes for Elevated A1cs

    • Certain medical conditions can elevate an A1c level, including anemia, kidney disease, or liver disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can also raise these levels.

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