Keeping track of your blood sugar is a key part of diabetes management. Prediabetes means that a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than usual, but doctors do not yet consider that they have diabetes. Doctors sometimes call this impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Sleeping too much or too little may raise your blood glucose levels. Your sleep habits may also affect your mental health and vice versa. People with diabetes and overweight or obesity can also have other health conditions that affect sleep, such as sleep apnea, which can raise your blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
It takes a small sample of blood, usually from the tip of your finger, and measures the amount of glucose in it. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals. For most people without diabetes, blood sugar levels before meals hover around 70 to 80 mg/dL. Healthy blood sugar levels are less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) after not eating (fasting) for at least 8 hours.
Ketones are acids produced when your body breaks down fat for energy because there’s not enough glucose available. Exercising requires energy, which means your body will produce more ketones. High levels of ketones can lead to an emergency medical condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Tell your healthcare professional if your blood sugar is often higher or lower than your target range. You might not need to test your blood sugar every day if you manage type 2 diabetes with medicines that are not insulin. You also might not need to test daily if you manage the condition with diet and exercise alone.
Your provider can order tests to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes and provide treatment recommendations. They may also suggest lifestyle changes to help keep your blood sugar within the recommended target range. Your diet and lifestyle can impact your blood glucose levels, but so can conditions like diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider about checking your blood glucose levels, especially if you’ve noticed symptoms of high or low blood sugar or if diabetes runs in your family. Your blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, are a measurement that show how much glucose you have in your blood. Your blood sugar levels go up and down throughout the day and for people living with diabetes these changes are larger and happen more often than in people who don’t have diabetes.
One of the key aspects of maintaining good health is monitoring and managing our blood sugar levels. But what exactly is a normal range for blood sugar? The normal range for blood sugar, also known as glucose, can vary depending on various factors such as age, weight, and overall health.
It is useful for people who need a speedy diagnosis, such as those with type 1 diabetes who require urgent supplementary insulin. This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. Drinking liquids helps prevent dehydration, or the loss of too much water in your body. Sports drinks often have a lot of sugar and calories, and you don’t need them for most moderate physical activities.
Keep in mind, age alone isn’t a deciding factor on where blood sugars should be. This chart details goals for specific groups of people with diabetes, based on age. Talk to your health care provider about referrals to other specialists who may be providing care.
Fasting Blood Sugar Levels
For most adults, a normal fasting blood sugar level typically falls between 70 and 100 mg/dL. However, some healthcare providers may consider a range of up to 110 mg/dL as acceptable. Fasting blood sugar levels are usually measured after at least 8 hours of not eating or drinking anything other than water.
These fasting glucose levels are also a standard protocol before any lab tests or bloodwork is taken during annual health checkups. Doctors usually diagnose type 1 diabetes in children and young adults. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily and regularly monitor their blood glucose levels for life. It’s important to work with your healthcare team on your individual diabetes management plan and what target goals might be best for you, no matter your age.
Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels
Postprandial blood sugar levels, which are taken two hours after a meal, should generally be below 140 mg/dL. If your postprandial blood sugar levels consistently exceed this range, it may indicate poor blood sugar control and could increase your risk of developing diabetes or other health issues.
In conclusion, understanding and monitoring your blood sugar levels are crucial for maintaining optimal health. By keeping track of your blood sugar levels and making necessary lifestyle changes, you can better manage your overall well-being and reduce your risk of developing health complications associated with abnormal blood sugar levels.
