The Ultimate Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Prediabetes & Diabetes Ranges Explained

Understanding your blood sugar levels is crucial for managing your health, especially if you're concerned about prediabetes, diabetes, or simply want to maintain optimal wellness. This comprehensive guide breaks down the different blood sugar ranges, explains what they mean, and offers insights into maintaining healthy glucose levels.

Why Blood Sugar Levels Matter

Blood sugar, or glucose, is the primary source of energy for your body. It comes from the food you eat, and your pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter your cells for energy. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't effectively use the insulin it produces. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can cause serious health problems over time, affecting your heart, kidneys, eyes, how to use blood sugar monitor and nerves. Monitoring these levels becomes even more critical for effective diabetes management.

Key Blood Sugar Tests

Several tests are used to measure blood sugar levels:

• Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast (at least 8 hours).
• Random Blood Sugar (RBS): Measures blood sugar at any time, without regard to when you last ate.
• A1C Test: Measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar levels before and after you drink a sugary liquid. It is commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes.

Blood Sugar Level Chart: Defining the Ranges

Here's a detailed breakdown of blood sugar level ranges for different tests:

what is blood sugar level

Test	Normal	Prediabetes	Diabetes
Fasting Blood Sugar (mg/dL)	Less than 100	100 to 125	126 or higher
A1C (%)	Less than 5.7	5.7 to 6.4	6.5 or higher
Random Blood Sugar (mg/dL)	Varies, should be below 200 two hours after eating	N/A	200 or higher (with symptoms)
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test azithromycin blood sugar (OGTT) 2-hour level (mg/dL)	Less than 140	140 to 199	200 or higher

Note: mg/dL stands for milligrams per deciliter. Always blood sugar 8 mmol/l to mg/dl consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and to interpret your specific fasting blood sugar 114 blood sugar levels.

Understanding Prediabetes

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It's a critical warning sign. Many people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 5-10 years if they don't make lifestyle changes. However, prediabetes can be reversed with healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight loss. Identifying prediabetic blood sugar levels is crucial for early intervention.

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can't effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. There are several types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Each type requires a different approach to management.

Blood Sugar Level Goals for People with Diabetes

Diabetes management aims to keep blood sugar levels as close to the normal range as safely possible. Here are general target ranges:

• Before Meals (Fasting): 80-130 mg/dL
• 2 Hours After a Meal: Less than 180 mg/dL

These are general guidelines; your healthcare provider will personalize your blood sugar level goals based on your individual needs. Consistent blood glucose monitoring is a cornerstone of effective diabetes management.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

• Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limit sugary drinks and processed foods. Consider consulting a registered dietitian for personalized meal planning and understanding the glycemic index.
• Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Regular physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively and can assist in lowering blood sugar levels.
• Monitor Your Blood Sugar: If you have diabetes or prediabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Keeping track allows for better blood sugar control.
• Manage Stress: Stress can raise blood sugar levels. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
• Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Lack of sleep can affect insulin sensitivity.
• Take Medications as Prescribed: If you have diabetes, take your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys flush out excess glucose.
• Work with a Healthcare Team: Collaborate with your doctor, a registered dietitian, and a certified diabetes educator to develop a comprehensive diabetes management plan.

The Importance of Regular Check-Ups

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are crucial for monitoring your blood sugar levels and detecting any potential problems early. This is especially important if you have risk factors for diabetes, such as a family history of diabetes, are overweight or obese, or have a sedentary lifestyle. Early detection and intervention can significantly impact long-term blood sugar control.

Conclusion

Understanding blood sugar levels and the differences between normal, prediabetes, and diabetes ranges is vital for maintaining good health. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can effectively manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of developing diabetes and its complications. Knowledge is power when it comes to proactively managing your blood glucose.

Get My FREE PDF: How Does Intermittent Fasting Work? 👉 Does skipping breakfast cause type 2 diabetes ? Timestamps: 0:00 Can type 2 diabetes be caused by skipping breakfast? 0:30 Most studies showing a link between skipping breakfast and type 2 diabetes are sponsored by the food industry 3:05 There was stated evidence that data was cherry-picked 4:10 Whether you do or don’t consume breakfast has nothing to do with whether you’re going to get diabetes I explain whether skipping breakfast causes type 2 diabetes, or even weight gain. There have been quite a few studies that show a link between worsening blood sugars and skipping breakfast, increasing your risk of diabetes and weight gain. Here’s an important point: most studies that show a link between skipping breakfast and type 2 diabetes are sponsored by the food industry. Studies not sponsored by the food industry don’t show this correlation. For example, a study published in November 2018 in the Journal of Nutrition concluded that there is an association between breakfast skipping and type 2 diabetes. But the key word is “association”. Association isn’t a cause, it simply means, well, there’s an association. Plus, the data was only from people living in the US and Asia. If you live anywhere else, this is pretty much meaningless. It was also based on a questionnaire with and without validation. In other words, it relies on people’s memories and honesty, not scientific assessment. As well, the combination of skipping breakfast and eating a standard American diet full of refined and processed foods was most closely associated with risk for type 2 diabetes. No kidding! And there was clear evidence that the data was cherry-picked. Data is easily manipulated, and when you understand how, you can more clearly assess information. The independent studies that weren’t sponsored by the food industry clearly show that skipping breakfast doesn’t cause type 2 diabetes. Whether you do or don’t consume breakfast is irrelevant. Type 2 diabetes is a disease of what you eat. These food industry-sponsored studies only studied skipping breakfast, not the content of the breakfast.You simply can’t know if someone is going to gain weight or get diabetes unless you know what they’re eating. Diabetes is a disease of too much sugar in the blood. If you eat lots of sugar, you’ll raise your blood sugar. Skipping breakfast doesn’t cause type 2 diabetes! Dr Eric Berg DC Bio: Dr. Berg, age 56, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media. Follow us on FACEBOOK: fb.me/DrEricBerg ABOUT DR. BERG: Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The Health & Wellness, Dr. Berg Nutritionals and Dr. Eric Berg, D.C. are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this video or site. Thanks for watching! Now you can see how absurd the idea is that skipping breakfast causes type 2 diabetes .