Blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels are used to monitor people for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels, even when there aren't in the diabetic range, can result in health problems such as cardiovascular problems, stroke and eye damage. Recommended levels of blood sugar may be different for different people. Your doctor can help you determine if you should monitor your blood glucose.
Types of Blood Tests
When testing for blood sugar levels, there are three main types of tests, according to MayoClinic.com. The first is the fasting test. If you are planning to have a fasting glucose test, you should not eat or drink anything except water for the 8 hours prior to the test. The second type is the post-prandial test which is performed 2 hours after a meal. Finally, you may also test your blood sugar immediately prior to a meal. These tests help show how your body manages blood sugar. There are guidelines for healthy blood sugar levels for each of these tests.
Guidelines for Healthy People
Healthy people who do not have diabetes should have blood sugar levels less than 100 mg/dL following an 8-hour fast. Approximately 2 hours after eating, your blood sugar level should be around 140 mg/dL. If your blood sugar level is higher than these guidelines, your doctor may recommend additional tests, such as the oral glucose tolerance test, to determine if you have diabetes. The oral glucose tolerance test monitors the change in your blood sugar levels after you consume a sugary drink.
Guidelines for Diabetics
If your fasting blood sugar level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, or your post-prandial levels between 140 and 199 md/dL, you may be considered pre-diabetic. If your fasting blood sugar level is greater than 126 mg/dL and your post-prandial levels greater than 200 mg/dL, you may have diabetes. If you have diabetes, the guidelines for healthy blood sugar ranges are slightly different. According to MayoClinic.com, people with diabetes should aim to keep their blood sugar between 70 to130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal. Your fasting blood sugar should be between 90 to 130mg/dL. This may be different for different people. If you have diabetes, your doctor will help determine the healthy blood sugar range best for you.
Guidelines for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women can be at risk for developing gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy and affects 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. After pregnancy, the diabetes may go away. High blood sugar levels can be dangerous for the baby and should be monitored. Healthy pregnant women without diabetes should have blood sugar levels below 95 mg/dL upon awakening and less than 140 mg/dL 1 hour after a meal. At 2 hours after a meal, your blood sugar should have dropped to below 120 mg/dL. If you have a family history of gestational diabetes, which may put you at higher risk of developing the disease, you should consult your doctor.
