A1C

A German writer with prediabetes has published an account of following a zero-carb diet and what the HbA1c blood value actually measures. The piece explains why the long-term glucose marker can rate two metabolically different people the same, and questions how meaningful the test is for someone eating almost no carbohydrates.

New attention is turning to whether psychotherapy can help lower A1C levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The question, raised in diabetes care commentary, reflects growing interest in treating the mental health side of a chronic condition, since stress, depression and difficulty sticking to treatment plans all affect blood sugar control and long-term outcomes.