Normal fasting plasma glucose levels < 6.1 mmol/L indicates a person does not have diabetes. Fasting plasma glucose levels between 6.1 to < 7.0 mmol/L indicates a person is at high risk of having diabetes. Abnormal fasting blood glucose levels ≥ 7.0 mmol/L indicates a person has diabetes.
What is a normal blood glucose level? For a person without diabetes, throughout the day blood glucose levels (BGLs) will generally range between 4.0 – 7.8 millimoles of glucose per litre of blood (mmols/L) regardless of how they eat or exercise, or what stress they're under.
The recommended range of blood sugar levels are: 4 to 7 mmol/l before meals. < 10 mmol/l one to two hours after meals.
For most people without diabetes, normal blood sugar levels are: between 4 and to 6 mmol/L before meals. less than 8 mmol/L two hours after eating.
The expected values for normal fasting blood glucose concentration are between 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). When fasting blood glucose is between 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) changes in lifestyle and monitoring glycemia are recommended.
Target blood sugar levels differ for everyone, but generally speaking: if you monitor yourself at home – a normal target is 4-7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5-9mmol/l two hours after a meal. if you're tested every few months – a normal target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5% on the older measurement scale)
Adults over the age of 60 should try to maintain glucose levels between 100 to 140 mg/dL. Below are some of the issues associated with high glucose levels and what your aging loved one can do to maintain healthy blood sugar.
In general: Below 5.7% is normal. Between 5.7% and 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
From 90 to 130 mg/dL (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/L) for adults. From 90 to 130 mg/dL (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/L) for children, 13 to 19 years old. From 90 to 180 mg/dL (5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L) for children, 6 to 12 years old. From 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.5 to 10.0 mmol/L) for children under 6 years old.
A normal fasting blood sugar level is below 100; whereas, the level of a person with prediabetes is between 100 and 126. Once levels have surpassed 126, it's classified as Type 2 diabetes.
The goal of type 2 diabetes management is to keep blood glucose levels within a target range (usually between 4-8mmol/L and up to 10mmol/L in some cases).
What should your blood sugar be when you wake up? Whenever possible, aim to keep your glucose levels in range between 70 and 130 mg/dL in the morning before you eat breakfast, and between 70 and 180 mg/dL at other times.
Keep your blood sugar levels close to normal to avoid many of these complications. The American Diabetes Association's goals for blood sugar control in people with diabetes are 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.
To get an accurate reading, check your blood sugar level in 10-15 minutes of waking up in the morning. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before you test – any contaminant can cause inaccuracies. Avoid any caffeinated beverages before you test because it can lead to a spike in blood sugar.
Before meals, the suggested target blood glucose range is 4.0 to 8.0 mmol/L. At 2 hours after meals, the range is 5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L.
Normal Blood Sugar Levels Chart for Older Adults [ Ages 65+]
Those who do not have diabetes may be held to the same glucose range as healthy younger adults, keeping glucose between 70-140 mg/dL during the day.
For the average senior, normal blood sugar levels are considered to be less than 100 mg/dL after not eating for around eight hours. After eating, they should be less than 140 mg/dL.
Diagnosing Prediabetes or Diabetes
A normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes. Within the 5.7% to 6.4% prediabetes range, the higher your A1C, the greater your risk is for developing type 2 diabetes.
Non-diabetic individuals should aim for blood glucose metrics in the following ranges: Fasting Glucose: 80-86 mg/dl. Pre-Meal (Baseline Glucose): 72-90 mg/dl. Post-Meal Glucose Peak: 99.2 ± 10.5 to 137.2 ± 21.1 mg/dl.
It's common. And most importantly, it's reversible. You can prevent or delay prediabetes from turning into type 2 diabetes with simple, proven lifestyle changes.
For most young, healthy adults, caffeine doesn't appear to noticeably affect blood sugar (glucose) levels, and having up to 400 milligrams a day appears to be safe. Some studies suggest that drinking coffee — whether caffeinated and decaffeinated — may actually reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A value less than 140 mg/dL is considered normal, 140 to 199 mg/dL is considered intermediate (impaired glucose tolerance/prediabetes), and a value equal to or higher than 200 mg/dL is suggestive of diabetes.