How Much Can A1C Drop in 3 Months? The Truth & 5 Ways to Lower It Fast

The A1C is a blood test that checks your average blood sugar over the past 2 - 3 months. It is used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes and to also monitor how well you're managing your glucose. 

The 3-month time frame is a good measurable period for progress as red blood cells have a lifespan of 120 days. Through natural processes, the red blood cells are replaced after 120 days or approximately 4 months.

Although red blood cells have a lifespan of 120 days, it shows the average glucose for 2 - 3 months for a couple reasons.

New and old red blood cells coexist in circulation for one, and also, the A1C shows a weighted average with the newer cells being higher in proportion, therefore a higher emphasis being on more recent glucose levels. 

Lets explore realistic expectations and 5 strategies that can work to lower your A1C effectively in 3 months! This will take consistent effort and a strategic approach, but can be done!

What influences the A1C and Realistic Expectations for How Much A1C Can Drop in 3 Months

As the A1C is an average glucose level of the past 2 - 3 months, we know that the A1C value is influenced by the same things that influence your blood sugar.

So, nutritional intake, water consumption, physical activity, medication compliance, and monitoring glucose levels all influence the A1C. 

Generally speaking, with consistent work, having specific and attainable goals in mind, and a strategy, you can drop your A1C 0.5 - 2% in 3 months. There will be individual variability based on baseline A1C and personal health factors. 

For example, baseline A1C’s on the higher range will often result in faster reductions than a baseline A1C already on the lower end; which may take more time to improve further.

The kidney and liver play major roles in glucose function and therefore if either of these are impaired, it may affect A1C management also. 

It is very important to consult with your doctor to discuss personal A1C goals, as there may also be a reason if they would like for your A1C to be slightly higher than you would like. 

For example, if you have had issues for years with hypoglycemia and now experience hypoglycemic unawareness, your doctor may prefer for your A1C to be higher than you would like, to avoid the potentially severe complications of hypoglycemia.

Age can also be a contributing factor. For insulin users who are older, doctors will often desire a higher A1C target because they don’t want them to have a hypoglycemic episode as this can cause impairment. 

If they were to have hypoglycemic episodes, this could result in a fall, and then lead to potentially having other serious complications from the fall, for example if they hit their head or broke their hip. 

This is why it is always important to speak with your doctor and create an A1C target that works the best for your individual circumstances. 

5 Strategies That Work for Lowering A1C in 3 Months

Let's explore 5 proven strategies that will help you drop your A1C in 3 months!

1. Adjustments to nutritional intake is one of the most effective strategies in lowering the A1C. It is very important to focus your nutritional intake on balanced meals and snacks, ensuring you are getting a healthy balance of whole, unprocessed foods. 

It is important to ensure enough protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates are included into your diet. Focusing on foods that are lower on the glycemic index is ideal. 

This balance will help stabilize glucose levels and minimize glucose spikes as it helps slow the absorption of carbs and makes you feel more full, as you are consuming the nutrition your body needs. 

Portion control is another important factor in lowering A1C. This is the case because if you do not practice portion control and consume half of your calories from carbohydrates, you are far more likely to experience a glucose spike. 

The plate method is a good rule of thumb to follow. Half of your plate is non-starchy vegetables, a quarter of your plate is carb/starch, and the other quarter, lean protein. It is also important to incorporate a balanced amount of healthy fats as well. 

2. Ensuring adequate water consumption can also have a positive impact in lowering your A1C for a few different reasons. Increasing your water intake can keep your body well hydrated and improve your glucose levels.

Staying well hydrated assists the kidneys in flushing out the excessive glucose from the blood stream. Conversely, dehydration can cause a higher concentration of blood sugar. 

Adequate water intake can help with enhancing insulin sensitivity, which can help with improving uptake of glucose by the cells.  

It can also help with weight loss as the increase of water consumption often means the decrease of other sugary beverages. It also can reduce calorie intake as it may help you feel more full and it is beneficial to all organ functions to stay well hydrated. 

3. Consistent physical activity is another very important aspect of lowering your A1C with the goal of up to 2% within 3 months. It is important to incorporate both aerobic and anaerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, strength training, and resistance workouts. 

Exercise lowers glucose levels and many diabetics track this in real time using their CGM. Knowing that spurts of exercise can lower glucose levels in real time, we also know that consistent physical activity will definitely help in lowering your A1C over a period of 3 months. Again, especially with dedication, consistency, and an achievable goal in mind. 

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity in that when your muscles contract during exercise they end up using the stored glucose for energy. The glucose that would normally just stay in the blood stream is then used up during the contractions and decreases blood glucose values. 

4. Medication compliance is very important as well. When you and your doctor have come up with a glucose management plan and it includes medication, then it  is very important to take these medications as instructed to attain optimal glucose levels. 

It is never advised to stop or adjust medication without the consultation and direction of your healthcare provider.

If you are on a regimen of a medication, such as insulin 3 times/day prior to meals, but only remember to take it once daily, you are likely having blood sugar spikes during the times of the missed doses. Over time, this adds up and average glucose levels and A1C become elevated, unless changes are made.

Some ways to remember scheduled medication regimens are setting phone alarms, marking in a calendar, having a daytimer that has times spelled out with a place to check once taken. The day-timer or calendar with a place to check off once taken, is a very good idea as it can be referenced in the event you forget if you have taken it or not.  

Download free medication check list here.

If you desire to get off some of your medication or decrease the doses, it is very important to first consult with your healthcare provider.

5. Monitoring glucose levels is a very effective strategy in decreasing average glucose levels and A1C. It is helpful because monitoring glucose levels can help you be aware in real time how your glucose is responding to various things like meals, snacks, and exercise. 

For example, if you are using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you are able to track and monitor your glucose consistently and in real time. You can literally eat a meal, and in two hours, look at your phone, watch, or receiver and see the impact that meal had on your glucose level. 

Monitoring your glucose also helps direct your decisions. For example, if you see a pattern that a food or meal is causing your blood sugar to consistently spike, you can make adjustments to see if there is a more balanced way to incorporate it or learn that maybe your body just does not do well with whatever this particular food or meal is. 

Testimony of Achieving an A1C reduction in just 2 months 

A client of mine, Ronnie, had been seeing the same doctor for several years, but explained he never could quite get his blood sugar under control. He explained he felt that he wasn’t on the correct regimen, but wasn’t being heard by his healthcare team. He switched providers and finally got the advice he felt he needed.

He came to me for education on the new medication, what it did, how it worked, how and when to take it etc. He explained he was never educated on the recommended treatments in his past and was always left feeling like he didn’t have a say or ever fully understand the treatment plan that was implemented for his body. 

Within two months of him being consistent with his new medication regimen, with the deeper understanding he now had, he was able to lower his A1C from 8.2 to 7.4%.

The strategies listed above for lowering A1C in 3 months are a good place to start if you desire to lower your A1C up to 2%. It is important to stay consistent, have achievable goals and a strategic plan. 

Also extremely important is discussing any changes to your blood glucose management plan with your health care provider.

If you desire to lower your A1C in a few months and need guidance on how to start, reach out to me today. 

Together we will create a plan that is right for you and get started toward your goal of lowering your A1C in 3 months!

Meet the Author

Hi! I’m Beth, a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator. I provide diabetes coaching for newly diagnosed people with diabetes and also work with people who have been living with diabetes for some time.

With 1:1 coaching, you will feel Empowered and supported to confidently manage your diabetes effectively - without it controlling your life! I can help you make sure that you feel good, stay in optimal health and take care of your well-being at all times.

First call is on me! Let’s talk.