‘My Hb1AC test is 10.5 per cent. Is medication necessary, or can I fix it with diet and lifestyle?’

“At this level, diet and lifestyle changes alone are usually not enough to bring sugar down safely. Most doctors will strongly recommend starting medication to quickly lower blood sugar and prevent serious complications like nerve damage, kidney problems, or vision issues,” said Dr Agarwal.

Dr Vijay Negalur, HoD, diabetology, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, added that elevated levels of sugar can gradually harm your eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves, and doesn’t appear overnight. “Risk starts to build slowly over time. That’s why early treatment is important. Even if you aren’t ‘feeling sick,’ your organs may still be under stress,” said Dr Negalur.

What should people with such high readings note?

First, don’t panic, but don’t delay either. According to Dr Negalur, high HbA1c means your average sugar levels are almost double the safe range. “Note down your symptoms, excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or sudden weight loss, and share them with your doctor. Also, get your blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney tests checked, as diabetes often comes bundled with these risks,” said Dr Negalur.

Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

When should one be alert and seek urgent help?

Be alert for blurred vision, tingling in your feet, unexplained infections, or sudden weight changes that you are not intentionally causing. Dr Negalur noted that these are red flags that sugar is already affecting your body. “Also, if sugars remain above 250 mg/dL or you have symptoms like vomiting and severe weakness, you need immediate medical care,” said Dr Negalur.

What’s the way forward?

The best step is to see a doctor as soon as possible for proper advice and treatment. Experts urge that with the right combination of medicines + lifestyle, your sugar can improve, and complications can be avoided.

Here’s what a Quora query was on (Photo: Quora)

The good news is that diabetes is very much controllable. With the right combination of medicines, diet tweaks (smaller, more frequent meals, more fibre, less refined carbs), regular exercise, and stress management, HbA1c can come down significantly within months, said Dr Negalur.

Early action reduces complications and gives better long-term health outcomes.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.