Blood sugar levels in fasting state and associated tests
In the realm of health and wellness, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial, especially for those with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition. Here's a guide to understanding normal, prediabetes, and diabetes blood sugar levels, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
For individuals without diabetes, the normal fasting blood sugar levels typically fall between 70 and 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L). This range indicates a healthy glucose homeostasis in the body when fasting. Post-meal, blood sugar should ideally remain below 140 mg/dL (about 7.8 mmol/L).
On the other hand, for people with diabetes, the ADA recommends a target fasting blood glucose range of 70 to 130 mg/dL (3.9 to 7.2 mmol/L). Two hours after meals, blood sugar should ideally remain below 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L).
| Population | Fasting Blood Sugar Range | Post-Meal Blood Sugar Target | |---------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Without diabetes | 70 - 100 mg/dL (3.9 - 5.6 mmol/L) | Less than 140 mg/dL (about 7.8 mmol/L) | | With diabetes (ADA) | 70 - 130 mg/dL (3.9 - 7.2 mmol/L) | Less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) |
These ranges help distinguish normal, prediabetes, and diabetes conditions and guide treatment and monitoring strategies.
Fasting blood sugar values between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) are typically considered prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose. Values above 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) on two separate occasions suggest diabetes.
High fasting blood sugar levels can indicate insulin resistance or diabetes. Symptoms of high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, can cause increased hunger or thirst, excessive urination, blurred vision, headache, tiredness, and, if left untreated, loss of consciousness or seizures.
For people with prediabetes, the goal is to reach the same target blood sugar levels as people without diabetes. Regular testing and recording of blood sugar levels, along with discussions with a healthcare professional, are essential for managing prediabetes and reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can provide a more accurate picture of a person's levels and fluctuations throughout the day. However, it can be more expensive depending on a person's insurance coverage. CGM is an option for daily use, where a person wears a monitor 24 hours a day.
In addition to fasting blood sugar tests, nonfasting blood tests, such as the random plasma glucose (RPG) test and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), exist. The OGTT involves a healthcare professional testing a person's blood sugar levels over 2 hours, starting with a fasting blood test, followed by consuming a sugary beverage, and subsequent blood samples every 30-60 minutes over a 2-hour period.
Abnormally low fasting blood sugar can be due to diabetes medications. Symptoms of low blood sugar levels include shaking and sweating, feeling jittery, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, skin that looks paler than usual, fatigue or tiredness, headaches or muscle aches, fast or irregular heartbeat, weakness, lack of coordination, and, in extreme cases, seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, and an inability to drink or eat.
It's essential to remember that blood sugar target levels are the ideal range that people should try to maintain as often as possible. No single blood sugar reading can reveal how well someone processes sugar. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health and can help reduce the risk of serious complications related to diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease.
[1] American Diabetes Association. (2022). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement 1), S1-S233. [2] American Diabetes Association. (2022). Diabetes Care in the Ambulatory Care Environment. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement 1), S234-S240. [4] American Diabetes Association. (2022). Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement 1), S241-S252. [5] American Diabetes Association. (2022). Diabetes and Kidney Disease. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement 1), S253-S264.
- Seekers of health and wellness must be cognizant of blood sugar levels, particularly those with diabetes or prediabetes.
- The predictive ADA guidelines suggest that normal fasting blood sugar levels for non-diabetics range from 70 to 100 mg/dL.
- Maintaining a fasting blood sugar level below 140 mg/dL post-meal is also advisable for individuals without diabetes.
- On the contrary, people with diabetes have a recommended fasting blood sugar range of 70 to 130 mg/dL, while post-meal blood sugar should ideally be under 180 mg/dL.
- Fasting blood sugar values from 100 to 125 mg/dL are indicative of prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose.
- Reaching the prediabetes blood sugar targets can help reduce the chance of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
- Prediabetes management requires continuous testing and recording of blood sugar levels, as well as collaborating with a healthcare professional.
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can offer a more accurate, real-time picture of blood sugar fluctuations.
- Other nonfasting tests, like the random plasma glucose test or oral glucose tolerance test, provide additional means of diagnosing diabetes.
- People with diabetes need to be mindful of symptoms associated with low blood sugar levels, such as shaking, sweating, and lack of energy.
- Obesity, hyperglycemia, and mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and depression are common chronic diseases that often co-exist with type 2 diabetes.
- Proper fitness and exercise, nutrition, mental health care, education, and skills training can help manage various medical conditions and chronic diseases.
- High blood sugar increasing the risk of complications like COPD, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease, adopting a healthy lifestyle becomes essential for maintaining overall health.
- Persons with type 2 diabetes and co-existing conditions such as prediabetes, obesity, or bipolar disorder require personalized treatment plans and constant monitoring.
- Medical-conditions like COPD and type 2 diabetes can contribute to a person's well-being and job-search prospects.
- By focusing on health and wellness, including preventive measures against type-2 diabetes, individuals can work towards personal growth, career development, and job security.
- Embracing a healthier lifestyle, through education, self-development, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and CBD, can positively impact an individual's quality of life and help them become successful 'switchers' in regards to their health.
