Blood sugar levels vary depending on food intake and exercise. Normal levels range from 70-145 mg/dL. Glucose is supplied by carbohydrate foods and insulin helps cells use blood sugar. Blood glucose tests are used to monitor levels and hypoglycemia is treated with sugar. Hyperglycemia is a key symptom of diabetes.
The amount of glucose, or sugar, in a person’s blood changes depending on food intake and exercise. A good amount of blood sugar depends on when the glucose level is measured. Depending on the time of the test, a healthy glucose level is between 70 and 145 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (about 3.9 to 8.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)).
Glucose is supplied to the body from the intake of carbohydrate foods and is a major source of energy. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body’s cells use blood sugar. When the amount of blood sugar in the body rises, insulin is released into the blood.
Blood sugar levels are usually measured in a laboratory. A blood sample is taken and the blood is then analyzed by a doctor. The results of this test are usually available within a few hours of the test. People with diabetes or other people who need to track their blood sugar can purchase glucose meters to use at home. Home blood glucose test results usually vary from lab results due to meter calibration, blood sample size and quality, among other factors.
Several blood glucose tests are used to monitor glucose levels. Fasting blood glucose levels are those measured after eight or more hours without food. Normal blood sugar levels for a fasting test are 70 to 99 mg/dL (about 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L). Blood glucose tests done two hours after starting a meal are called postprandial tests and have a normal range of 70 to 145 mg/dL (about 3.9 to 8.1 mmol/L). Random blood glucose tests are performed at different times of the day regardless of food intake and have a normal range of 70 to 125 mg/dL (about 3.9 to 6.9 mmol/L).
Having unusually low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include nausea, hunger, sweating and headache. The most extreme cases of hypoglycemia are characterized by mood changes, dizziness, and blurred vision. Hypoglycemia is treated with consuming sugar to restore blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar levels are common in people who have diabetes.
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a key symptom of diabetes. The two types of diabetes affect the body in different ways. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body’s cells becoming immune to insulin. Either way, the body runs out of enough insulin to help cells absorb glucose.
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