Untreated anemia

Anemia affects up to 25% of people with type 2 diabetes in the United States. As a result, anemia is a rather common complication for patients with diabetes.

Anemia can affect blood sugar levels in several ways. Therefore, a falsely high A1C test may occur in people with very low iron levels. This is particularly true for people who have iron deficiency anemia, common anemia brought on by a lack of iron. Red blood cell replacement requires the production of new red blood cells, which require iron. You should consult your doctor and, if necessary, undergo additional testing if you have unusually high A1C levels and believe anemia may be to blame.