Knowing the normal values of the blood sugar chart gives you the chance to verify whether your blood sugar is at a normal level, so that you can notice first signs of diabetes. Blood sugar levels change naturally during the day depending on food and drink intake, activity levels, age, medication and even health problems like pregnancy.
You also have to measure your fasting sugar levels, sugar level after meal and doing the tests that would give you the level of HbA1c. It is important to know the normal readings and treatment objectives as they may differ for pregnant women, children, elderly individuals and those with diabetes history.
Blood sugar is the amount of glucose in the blood also known as blood glucose, the source of energy used by the cells. It is mainly obtained from the carbohydrates you eat. Insulin, a hormone manufactured by the pancreas, plays an important role in getting the glucose inside the cells.
To check blood glucose levels and diagnose diabetes, physicians can use fasting blood sugar, post prandial glucose, and HbA1c tests.
For most of the healthy adults without diabetes, the blood test measures:
Blood sugar Standard values
Fasting blood sugar 70-99 mg/dL
Two hours after meals Generally below 140 mg/dL
HbA1c Below 5.7%
All these numbers can be used only as a rough estimation since random blood sugar depends on when you had a meal last and HbA1c provides the average blood sugar levels over the last few months.
Blood sugar is lower after a night of fasting and is then raised after eating food. The amounts of food consumed, physical exercise, or action of insulin have their influence.
What is an acceptable level of blood sugar after fasting?
To measure blood sugar levels, patients have to avoid meals for 8 hours at least. The tests are usually taken in the morning before breakfast.
Fasting blood sugar Interpretation
Below 70 mg/dL Low blood sugar
70-99 mg/dL Normal
100-125 mg/dL The range of prediabetes
126 and higher mg/dL The range for diabetes, confirmation is most likely needed
These criteria for blood sugar evaluation are for the non-pregnant adult population. A doctor may recommend further blood tests in case of diabetes suspicion.
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Blood sugar level tends to rise soon after a meal and gradually decreases with the help of insulin which transports glucose into cells.
In the case of healthy adults without diabetes, blood glucose level below 140 mg/dL after eating is considered normal. However, diagnosis usually consists of a standardized glucose test.
Results of the glucose tolerance test Result Reading
Below 140 mg/dL Normal
From 140 to 199 mg/dL Prediabetic range
200 mg/dL or above Diabetic range
These readings belong to the standardized version of the test. The values after a regular meal should not be evaluated in accordance with the same diagnostic parameters.
Blood glucose levels and treatment objectives can vary with age, complete medical status, biomedical halts taken, and any previously diagnosed diabetes. In the case of children and adolescents, blood glucose testing results always have to be clinically assessed depending on their ages.
In adults between 18-59 years old, a fasting glucose level of 70-99 mg/dL is generally considered normal. For adults aged 60 and above, the same guideline applies for the diabetes diagnosis although the therapeutic goals of treatment might vary depending on health status and absence/presence of medicines.
Only advancing years does not imply acceptance of elevated blood sugar levels. On the contrary, being older increases the risk of the onset of type 2 diabetes if paired with physical inactivity, obesity, or heredity factors.
Older people who use insulin or some other medications used in diabetes treatment may be more prone to low blood sugar levels. Therefore, a doctor will adjust their treatment plans accordingly to avoid consequences. Regular monitoring, nutritional intake, exercises, and medical observations are important for keeping blood sugar levels at normal rates.
Diabetics are usually advised to have certain levels of blood glucose for better control of their disease and minimizing the chances of developing eye, kidney, nerve, and heart diseases.
Some of the most frequently prescribed targets for non-pregnant adults include:
Test Target level
Fasting blood glucose 80-130 mg/dl
After a meal, within one to two hours Below 180 mg/dl
HbA1C Below 7%
Please note that these targets are generally suggested. The physician may set other targets based on age, pregnancy, existing health problems, and hypoglycemia risk.
The HbA1c test indicates the average blood glucose level over approximately two to three months. Unlike the fasting glucose test, the HbA1c test does not require fasting period.
Range below 5.7%- considered as normal range.
The range of 5.7%-6.4% - is known as the prediabetes range.
Any reading above 6.5% indicates the presence of diabetes and may need confirmation.
The HbA1c test results may not be accurate in certain medical conditions like pregnancy or conditions affecting the red blood cells.
Blood sugar levels must be maintained while pregnant, as hormones can change the way insulin acts in the body. High blood sugar levels can indicate gestational diabetes, which can lead to complications for both mother and baby if not treated.
What is the normal blood sugar level during pregnancy?
For women with diabetes during pregnancy, normal glucose levels may include:
Measurement Normal Range
Fasting blood sugar Less than 95mg/dL
1-hour post meal Less than 140mg/dL
2-hour post meal Less than 120mg/dL
These figures given are only for treatment and not the criteria for diagnosis for gestational diabetes.
The screening is usually done during 24-28 weeks, although in some cases, it may be advisable to test earlier.
One of the methods called 75-gram OGTT can be useful. Below are the figures that meet the gestational diabetes criteria:
Fasting glucose: 92 mg/dL.
One-hour glucose: 180 mg/dL.
Two-hour glucose: 153 mg/dL.
The test can confirm diagnosis based on the single abnormal number. There are some other tests as well that may have different criteria for the diagnosis.
If blood glucose levels are elevated beyond permissible limits, it is advisable to get in touch with a doctor, depending on the symptoms and the readings.
How to Detect Elevated Blood Glucose?
Elevated levels of blood glucose are referred to as hyperglycaemia; it may occur when the body can no longer produce or effectively use insulin.
The classical signs of hyperglycaemia involve:
One needs to rush to the hospital in case of hyperglycaemia with vomiting, dehydration, respiratory problems, and confusion.
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Low blood sugar is generally defined as blood glucose levels less than 70 mg/dL, especially among individuals taking insulin and other diabetes medications.
Symptoms may include; shaking, sweating, dizziness, hunger, faster than usual heartbeats, and confusion. Severe hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness and/or seizures that necessitate medical help. Never give food or drink to an unconscious or swallowing-impaired individual.
You may follow certain rules in order to manage your blood glucose levels successfully:
You should monitor your blood sugar level for normal values and symptoms of diabetes. It should be noted that fasting blood glucose level is different in comparison with the postprandial blood glucose level and HbA1c results. In pregnancy and in case of having diabetes you may be required to change your target levels.
Appropriate diet, exercise, medical therapy and medical follow up will keep your blood sugar levels under control.
At Tagore Hospital you may receive individual recommendations regarding macronutrients from the doctor based on your personal condition.
Q.1 What Is the Normal Range for Blood Sugar Levels?
Ans. Normal fasting blood sugar levels for normal adults, who are not pregnant and do not have diabetes, are usually between 70 to 99 mg/dL. Having a fasting glucose level of 100–125 mg/dL indicates the prediabetes condition.
Q.2 What Should Blood Sugar Be Two Hours After Meals?
Ans. Blood sugar levels for people who are not diabetic should be below 140 mg/dL after meals, while diabetic patients usually try to maintain their glucose levels below 180 mg/dL in the span of one or two hours after meals.
Q.3 Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels Dependent on Age?
Ans. Normal values in diagnosis typically do not get changed in adults. However, elderly diabetes patients may require individualized targets depending on their health condition and hypoglycemia risk.
Q.4 What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels During Pregnancy?
Ans. Normal treatment targets include a fasting blood sugar level of 95 mg/dL or lower, blood sugar of 140 mg/dL or less after one hour of a meal, and blood sugar below 120 mg/dL two hours after the meal.
Q.5 What Blood Sugar Values Are Qualified for Having Diabetes?
Ans. For the case of adults without pregnancy, blood sugar levels exceeding 126 mg/dL of fasting plasma glucose level, HbA1c being over 6.5 % and two-hour OGTT rate being above 200 mg/dL respectively qualify for having diabetes. In most cases the verification of above statements is required unless there are evident signs of hyperglycemia.
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