In most cases, doctors ask people to measure fasting blood sugar immediately upon waking and before they have anything to eat or drink. It may also be appropriate to test blood sugar before eating or 2 hours after a meal, which is when blood sugar returns to normal levels.
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.
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.
Checking your blood sugar levels often and recording the results will tell you how well you are managing your diabetes so you can stay as healthy as possible. The best times to check your blood sugar are before meals and at bedtime. Your blood sugar meter may have software to help you track your blood sugar level.
When is blood sugar lowest? Blood sugar levels lower than 100 mg/dL 8 hours after a meal and 140 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal are normal. During the day, the lowest blood sugar levels usually occur right before a meal. For most people without diabetes, pre-meal blood sugar ranges between 70 and 80 mg/dL.
In general: Less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L ) is normal. 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L ) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L ) or higher on two separate tests is diagnosed as diabetes.
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.
Recommended finger: the World Health Organisation recommends the middle or ring fingers are used for blood glucose tests (second and third fingers). You may want to avoid using your little finger due to the skin being thin.
Testing is usually recommended before meals and at bedtime if you're taking multiple daily injections. You may need to test only before breakfast and sometimes before dinner or at bedtime if you use just an intermediate- or a long-acting insulin.
What causes high morning blood glucose? Two main culprits prompt morning highs: the dawn phenomenon and waning insulin. A third, much rarer cause, known as the Somogyi effect, may also be to blame.
Results are interpreted as follows: Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L ) after two hours is considered healthy. 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L ) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L ) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.
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.
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.
Since your body doesn't respond to insulin the same as most, your fasting blood sugar reading can go up, even if you follow a strict diet. The boost in sugar is your body's way of making sure you have enough energy to get up and start the day.
Caffeine can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This happens because caffeine triggers a hormonal response in our bodies.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
Water allows more glucose to be flushed out of the blood. When you're dehydrated, it means your overall blood volume is lower than normal, but your sugars will be the same. This means your blood is more concentrated (not diluted with water) and your blood sugar levels will be higher.
Squeezing your finger
When you do that, you are getting some interstitial fluid rather than blood. A study shows that this “may lead to unreliable readings." Gently warming the hands ahead of time can help so you don't have squeeze so hard.
A commonly asked question is “Why do my testing results vary meter to meter?” The answer simplified is that meters are tested for accuracy and must adhere to Self-Testing Blood Glucose Monitoring System ISO standard and US guidance, and can only vary by 15 percent compared to reference method.
Wipe away the first droplet of blood with a cotton ball or gauze as indicated. Rationale: The first drop of blood may be contaminated with the alcohol used for disinfection, which may provide an inaccurate result. Newer meters no longer require the first drop to be wiped away.
A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours means you have diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) means you have prediabetes.
What do the test results mean? If your fasting blood glucose level is between 3.6mmol/l and 6mmol/l, this means that your blood glucose level is normal. If your fasting blood glucose level is 7mmol/l or higher, this is likely to mean that you have diabetes.
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.