When people are diagnosed with diabetes, their first question is – what should their blood glucose levels be? Blood Sugar Levels are the amount of glucose in your blood at any given point in time and this blood glucose level depends majorly on the foods you eat.
Read more: What Level of Blood Sugar is Dangerous?
A healthy blood sugar level for anyone in the morning, despite age and gender, should be less than 100 mg/dl. However, as each person’s health history and body function are unique, their blood sugar level might vary according to their diet, medication and other factors.
Low or high blood sugar is related to prediabetic and diabetic conditions and requires medical attention.
Blood Sugar Levels – An Overview
Your blood sugar levels can be high, low, or normal depending on multiple factors, including age, gender, and a predisposition or family history of diabetes.
Mg/dL is the value to express the sugar or glucose in the blood. The normal sugar level is between 90 to 100 mg/dL. However, reading often fluctuates during the day and at night. But sometimes, high or low blood sugar levels are signs of health conditions requiring medical attention.
In such cases, blood sugar monitoring is essential to observe fluctuations in blood glucose levels that occur in response to diet, exercise, medications, and pathological processes.
Normal Blood Sugar Levels by Age
You can calculate blood sugar levels at different times. For instance, you can test it during fasting or after not consuming food for more than 8 hours. It is because blood sugar tends to fluctuate during the day for countless reasons, especially after eating.
Read more: Normal Blood Sugar Levels – Everything You Should Know
Edit: We are reviewing the blood sugar ranges for kids and adolescents as per the latest reports.
Ideal Blood Sugar Range for Adults (20 Years & Above)
| Time of Day | Blood Glucose Level |
|---|---|
| 1-2 Hours after a Meal | Under 180 mg/dL |
| Fasting | Under 100 mg/dL |
| Bed Time | 100-140 mg/dL |
Normal Blood Sugar Range for Women Above 60 Years Who Do Not Have Diabetes
| Type of Test | Blood Glucose Level |
|---|---|
| Fasting | 90-150 mg/dl |
| 2 Hours Post Meal | Below 180 mg/dl |
A blood sugar reading higher than 180 mg/dL or higher than your prescribed healthy range is dangerous. If you have a blood sugar reading higher than 300 mg/dL, seek immediate medical help to get your blood sugar levels within a safer range.
Summary
The target normal blood sugar ranges will vary from person to person. Your doctor will consider factors such as your age, weight, medical history, medications you are on, and lifestyle to assess a healthy target blood sugar level for you. Nonetheless, the normal blood sugar level is anywhere between 80 and 110 mg/dL before you have anything to eat or drink.
Factors Affecting Blood Sugar
Almost every lifestyle choice will affect your blood sugar level. Some of them are,
- Rigorous exercise will affect insulin sensitivity, resulting in lower blood sugar levels for up to 48 hours.
- Stress releases cortisol hormone, which can raise blood sugar levels.
- Certain medications like statins and diuretics raise blood glucose levels.
- Diet also has a potential impact on blood sugar. Eating too many carbs will cause high sugar, while protein gradually increases the range.
- Dehydration also increases glucose levels due to less water concentration in the body.
Tips to Maintain Normal Blood Sugar Level
Glucose control is extremely important for diabetic patients. Studies show that diabetes with persistent elevation in blood sugar level has a high risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, nerve damage, vision problems and more.
Gaining control over blood sugar will help to avoid these complications. Here are some lifestyle tips to follow that will aid you in controlling your blood sugar level.
- Consume whole, non/minimally processed and low-carb foods to control the blood glucose in the body.
- Include at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly if you have no medical restrictions.
- Stay hydrated always, which will help your body to eliminate excess amounts of glucose through urine.
- Take insulin and other medications per the instructions from healthcare professionals to avoid any sudden spike or drop in the blood glucose level.
HealthifyMe Suggestion
Maintaining normal blood sugar levels, especially in today’s times where lifestyle diseases are rampant, is of utmost importance. Checking for warning signs of elevated blood glucose levels such as changes in appetite, weight and vision or experiencing excessive fatigue is needed and if you have familial history of lifestyle diseases a yearly health check is mandatory especially once you are an adult.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range is crucial for your overall health. Hence, understanding the ranges in blood sugar levels is a vital part of diabetes self-management.
Opt for a low-carb diet, regular exercise, and drinking plenty of water. Furthermore, consult with your healthcare professional to make proper lifestyle choices. It will help you to manage optimal weight and prevent diabetic complications, aiding you to lead a healthy life.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is just to disperse knowledge and raise awareness. It does not intend to replace medical advice from professionals. For further information please contact our certified nutritionists Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is considered a normal blood sugar range by age?
The normal blood sugar range may vary slightly depending on age, when did you have your last meal etc.. In general, fasting blood sugar levels between 80-110 mg/dL (3.9-5.6 mmol/L) are considered normal for adults.
Are there different blood sugar ranges for older adults?
There are no specific blood sugar ranges exclusively for older adults. The general range of 70-100 mg/dL (3.9-5.6 mmol/L) for fasting blood sugar is applicable to individuals of all ages. However, additional health conditions or medication interactions may cause fluctuations.
Is there a different normal blood sugar range for pregnant women?
During pregnancy, the normal blood sugar range may be slightly different. Fasting blood sugar levels between 60-95 mg/dL (3.3-5.3 mmol/L) are considered normal for pregnant women. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance during pregnancy.
Can blood sugar levels vary throughout the day?
Yes, blood sugar levels can fluctuate throughout the day, especially after meals. It’s normal for blood sugar levels to rise temporarily after eating and then gradually return to the normal range. Continuous monitoring and management of blood sugar levels are crucial for individuals with diabetes.
What is considered low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is typically defined as a blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness, sweating, dizziness, confusion, and irritability. Prompt treatment, such as consuming a fast-acting source of sugar, is necessary to raise blood sugar levels.
Can certain medical conditions affect blood sugar levels?
Yes, certain medical conditions can affect blood sugar levels. Conditions such as diabetes, prediabetes, and hormonal imbalances can lead to abnormal blood sugar levels. It’s important for individuals with these conditions to work closely with their healthcare team to monitor and manage their blood sugar levels effectively.
Reference Sources
- Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatment recommendations and future research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4600176/ - Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17876019/ - Hyperglycemia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430900/#:~:text=Hyperglycemia%20is%20blood%20glucose%20greater,dL%20to%20125%20mg%2FdL.
Good in information
Very useful information
Thank you
This is very interesting information and valuable tnx for the artical
My wife had a very good experience in taking one spoon of olive oil before taking any food in the morning she has diabetes but she found this solution and she doesn’t take any medicine please can you spread this issue for the penifit of others
THANKS for your cooperation
Is this olive oil taken every morning for how many days? Months? Did she continue using olive oil even when her blood sugar is now normal? Tnx.
Sir my age is 37 years i want to increase My weight i diabetic patient of insoleen mixtard before breakfast 24 unit and before dinner 16 unit my diabetic lavel mostly normal but My weight is decreased at 56 kg from 66kg in 12 months i want increase My weight please suggest me died
Eat brown rice that is carbohydrates that makes your weight to increase that will not affect your sugar level, never skip bfast and lunch even you are diabetic and insulin dependent, eat more the body building foods group that rich in carbohydrates but make sure less in sugar content
Exclent information
Weight loss caused by diabetes is mostly due to the loss of muscle mass. To increase your muscle mass make sure that you take a protein-rich diet, include physical activity like weight lifting and resistance training into your daily routine and avoid alcohol, smoking, and stress. You may also consult one of our nutrition coaches for personalised advice on weight gain and overall diabetes management through our app.
Meanwhile, here’s an article to help you: https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/muscle-mass/
There’s need to be educated fully on diabetes,
Thank for sharing and your education. You have taken some panic from us
Can you pls include a conversion chart between the 2 system of measurements? In my country the blood sugar is NOT measured in mg/dl. Thank you.
The other unit for blood glucose is mmol/l. To convert mmol/l to mg/dl multiply the readings by 18.
1,) Time restricted feeding 14/10 or 16/8 hours
And
2.) walking /exercises, cardio and high intensity resistance training
have a very significant beneficial impact on glucose management!!
In my country ihave never come across a blood sugar gadget measuring in mg/dl only in g/ dl how doi convert?
divide the gram by 1000 to get mg. it is simple
1g/dl is equal to 1000mg/dl. Please do the math to convert the values.
have breakfast is usefull for diabeties paition or not
Eating the right kind of breakfast is important for diabetic patients as long hours of fasting might cause complications such as hypoglycemia which is low blood sugar.
Would like to consult you.
My Fasting comes to 120/130
Random 180 to 210.
HB1AC is 5.5 to 5.8. ( Last 6 months)
Done thrice.
Your blood glucose is borderline, which makes you prediabetic. You can take precautions like having an early dinner and doing some physical activity daily, especially after meals. Have a balanced meal which is rich in protein such as dairy, animal protein, pulses, and nuts and avoid refined carbs. For personalised assistance, you can connect with our nutrition coaches via our app. They will help with customised diet plans and activity regimes to manage your blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.
What about for men 60 and above?
For adults above 60 years, readings should be: fasting – 90-150 mg/dl. 2 hours post meal – below 180 mg/dl
Most devices shows A1C results.What is A1C for 70 agers with diabetes without medicine.
My suger level Fasting is 180 medical advice me to injeck Inculin every day 2 times which I don’t wants to do I m very norvas about this matter please advice me I m of 62 years age.
Thanks.
There is a fear involved when it comes to injections in general including insulin. However, it’s important to overcome our fears in order to live a happy and healthy life. You need to understand that your blood glucose levels are high and that taking insulin injections is important. You won’t even feel the pinch of the insulin after a few days of its regular use. However, if you still feel scared, you may talk to your doctor and ask them to suggest alternatives such as oral medication if possible.
An excellent article..
Very very informative
Thank you. It’s very helpfu.
What is Carb? Wha are the carb diet so i can follow it?
Carb is the short form for carbohydrates. A carb diet is anything which includes plant-based food. Our focus should be on including complex carbohydrates like millet, whole wheat, fruits and other whole foods. We also need to limit the consumption of refined foods like refined wheat flour, refined sugar, etc. Also, make sure to couple it with the right amount of protein and fats to get a balanced diet.
Best information u provided
Thanks you for your concerns for your human health
Excellent explain so thanks a lot for given is these valuable information.
Hi,
Our blood sugar testing Mechanic gives the reading as ….2,3,4,5 …….25,26 etc. I want to convert yours reading ..
…..80, 90, 100 mg/dl ?
Thanks, & Regards
Your readings are in mmol/l. If you want to convert your readings to mg/dl you can multiply by 18 or if you want to convert mg/dl to your readings divide by 18 and you will get the values.