why is my a1c high but blood sugar normal

If your A1C is high but your blood sugar levels appear normal, it could be due to several factors:

• A1C Reflects Long-Term Glucose Levels: The A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, while a single blood sugar test is a snapshot of your glucose level at that moment. If your blood sugar spikes or drops frequently, your A1C may still be high even if your current blood sugar is normal.

• Conditions Affecting Red Blood Cells: Certain conditions like anemia, kidney disease, or blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia) can affect the accuracy of the A1C test, leading to falsely high results.

• Medications: Some medications, such as opioids or HIV drugs, can interfere with A1C results.

• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also impact A1C levels.

It's important to discuss these results with your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and adjust your diabetes management plan if necessary.