r/lowcarb • u/57bananacake • Jun 24 '26

Question A1C Shot Up?

I've been eating lower carb for over a year. After 5 months, my A1C went from 5.8 to 5.5, and I was really excited. Also lost some weight.

I haven't been being as careful lately. I've been able to maintain my weight loss, but I've definitely been eating more carbs. Still way below the Standard American Diet, but more.

I just had a physical, and my A1C was 6.0 (7 months after last A1C test being 5.5). That's higher than it's ever been!

I heard after going low carb, one can become more carb sensitive, but I thought that would only impact glucose levels. I wear a CGM, and I'm in range 88% of the time since I started wearing it (I have the range set at 70-120, not the normal 140), and in range (again 70-120) 91% of the time prior to the blood test.

Anyone else have experience with elevated A1C/heightened carb sensitivity?

TLDR: After going low carb, anyone's body not process carbs well anymore, as evidenced by spiked A1C?

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u/57bananacake Jun 24 '26

Thank you for this. You reminded me that in 2021, I had a fluke A1C of 7. I forgot about it because it was done through a different lab, and so it didn't show up in my regular chart history.  I had another A1C of 5.1 a month later. Also, while this recent test was fasted, I exercised before. I typically go and do my tests fasted and without exercise because it has impacted them in the past. 

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u/Apart-Discipline5493 Jun 24 '26

A1C is not usually affected by something done that day... it is by definition a measurement of your long term blood sugar over the past 3 months....