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For the past few weeks, we have been working diligently to provide you with detailed, verified answers to your queries about managing blood sugar levels, assisted by qualified experts. As such, when we came across a question on Quora — “I am type 2 diabetic; HbA1c is 7.3, feel tired and lazy especially in the morning. How do I solve this?” — We got back to work, and this is what we found.
If you are a type 2 diabetic with an HbA1c of 7.3 and are experiencing tiredness and laziness, especially in the mornings, you must remember a few important points. The target HbA1c depends on your age and duration of diabetes. “In younger patients, doctors generally aim for tighter control (around 6–6.5 per cent) to minimise long-term complications. In elderly patients, especially those over 60 years or with other health issues, the target can be kept a little less stringent (around 7–7.8%) to balance the risks of hypoglycemia, comorbidities, and life expectancy,” explained Dr Manisha Arora, director, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
It is also important to note that HbA1c alone does not give the full picture. “Sometimes, patients only monitor fasting sugars and assume their control is adequate. However, post-meal sugars can be very high, leading to a condition known as glycemic variability. For example, fasting sugar may be 90, but post-meal sugar may spike to 250–300. These fluctuations are harmful and can cause tiredness, lethargy, and long-term complications,” described Dr Arora.
To get a clearer view, it is advisable to check sugars at different times, before and after breakfast, lunch, and dinner on different days, to understand your daily sugar patterns.
Apart from sugar fluctuations, lifestyle and nutrition also play a significant role. A diet high in simple carbohydrates and low in protein can make you feel sluggish. “Including balanced meals, with complex carbohydrates, adequate proteins, and fibre is key. Regular physical activity, even simple walking, yoga, or mobility exercises, can significantly improve energy levels and reduce fatigue,” said Dr Arora.
Eating at regular times also helps. Daily physical activity, even a 20–30 minute walk, can improve energy and blood sugar control, concurred Dr Aarti Ullal, physician and diabetologist, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai.
Other important factors include sleep quality and stress management. Poor sleep hygiene and high stress can manifest physically as tiredness, weakness, or body aches, even if your sugars are under control. “Ensuring 7–8 hours of good quality sleep and practicing stress-reducing techniques can help,” said Dr Arora.
Stress management with deep breathing or yoga can also make a difference, emphasised Dr Ullal.
Sometimes, deficiencies in vitamins such as B12 or D may also contribute to fatigue, so it is important to have these levels checked and corrected. “Additionally, tiredness in a diabetic patient can also be linked to complications. For instance, if kidney function is impaired, insulin stays longer in the body, which can lower sugars but cause other metabolic imbalances, leading to weakness. Therefore, routine checks like kidney function tests are also essential,” said Dr Arora.
Keep checking your sugar levels as advised, and discuss your medicines with your doctor to ensure they are working properly, added Dr Ullal.
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.
