Understanding Your Blood Sugar Numbers

 🩸 Understanding Your Blood Sugar Numbers

If you have diabetes, understanding your blood sugar (blood glucose) numbers can help you see how food, physical activity, medications, illness, stress, and other factors affect your body.

Your healthcare team will help determine your individual blood sugar goals based on your health, medications, age, and other factors.

Blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar, is the main type of sugar found in your blood. Your body uses glucose for energy.

After you eat, blood glucose usually rises. Insulin helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy.

People with diabetes may need to monitor their blood glucose to make sure it does not become too high or too low.

According to the American Diabetes Association, typical blood glucose goals for many nonpregnant adults with diabetes include:

Before meals: 80–130 mg/dL

1–2 hours after the beginning of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL

These are general targets. Your personal blood sugar goals may be different. Always follow the targets provided by your healthcare team.

An A1C test is a blood test that provides information about your average blood glucose levels over approximately the past 2–3 months.

For many nonpregnant adults with diabetes, an A1C goal of less than 7% is commonly used. However, A1C goals should be individualized based on a person's health and circumstances.

Your healthcare provider will determine the A1C goal that is appropriate for you.

Blood tests are also used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. These numbers are different from everyday blood sugar management targets.

A1C

• Normal: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

Fasting Blood Glucose

• Normal: 99 mg/dL or below
• Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher

A healthcare professional should interpret diagnostic testing. In the absence of clear symptoms, abnormal results may need to be confirmed with repeat testing.

Blood glucose below 70 mg/dL is considered low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia.

Possible symptoms include:

• Shaking
• Sweating
• Hunger
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Irritability
• Weakness or tiredness
• Confusion

Severe hypoglycemia can be dangerous and requires prompt treatment. Follow the low-blood-sugar treatment plan provided by your healthcare team.

Hyperglycemia means your blood glucose is higher than your recommended target range.

Symptoms may include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue
• Weakness

If your blood sugar remains high or you develop concerning symptoms, follow your diabetes care plan and contact your healthcare provider as instructed.

Diabetes management isn't one-size-fits-all. Ask your healthcare provider to help you fill in your personal goals:

My target before meals: __________ mg/dL

My target after meals: __________ mg/dL

My A1C goal: __________ %

My most recent A1C: __________ %

When my provider wants me to call: ___________________________

Keeping track of your blood glucose readings can help you and your healthcare team recognize patterns and make informed decisions about your diabetes care.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider.

American Diabetes Association (ADA). Understanding A1C and diabetes management.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Testing for Diabetes and A1C.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diabetes Tests & Diagnosis.