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If you have a history of diabetes or are worried about developing diabetes, blood sugar levels are one of the things you will definitely pay attention to. Understanding normal blood sugar levels will help you prevent diabetes or deal with high blood glucose in the blood.
After eating, normally the glucose that has been absorbed into the blood will be incorporated into the body's cells with the help of the hormone insulin to be converted into energy. The presence of impaired production or sensitivity of the body to insulin will make glucose remain in the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
This is what makes the levels so high. Persistently high blood sugar levels risk causing damage to various organs. So, what is a normal blood sugar level?
Normal adult blood sugar levels
Normal adult fasting blood sugar levels are 70-100 mg/dL or HbA1C values of 3.9-5.6 mmol/L. Men and women have the same range of normal blood sugar levels.
However, children and adults may have different ranges.
Meanwhile, for people who have diabetes, be it type 1 or 2 diabetes, it can usually vary depending on the condition. However, in general, the recommended target normal blood sugar level for diabetics is 890-130 mg/dL.
Here are the normal blood sugar levels for people with diabetes based on age:
Age |
Normal blood sugar levels (before meals/fasting) | Blood sugar levels 1-2 hours after a meal |
Blood sugar levels before bed |
|
Children under 6 years old |
100-180mg/dL |
- |
110-200 mg/dL |
|
Children 6-12 years old |
90-180 mg/dL |
- |
100-180 mg/dL |
|
Teenagers 13-19 years old |
90-130 mg/dL |
- |
90-150 mg/dL |
|
Adults |
90-130 mg/dL |
<180 mg/dL |
90-150 mg/dL |
A person is often diagnosed with diabetes if they have blood glucose levels above 125 mg/dL. This means that someone who has a blood sugar level between 100-125 mg/dL needs to be vigilant because this condition indicates prediabetes.
With lifestyle changes, prediabetes can be prevented from becoming type 2 diabetes.
Signs of abnormal blood sugar levels
Abnormal blood sugar levels, whether too high or too low, can both cause health problems.
When glucose levels in the blood are too high, you have hyperglycemia. People who have uncontrolled diabetes and some other diseases can experience hyperglycemia.
Some symptoms of hyperglycemia include:
- Dry mouth.
- Frequent urination (polyuria).
- Feeling very thirsty (polydipsia).
- Frequent hunger (polyphagia).
- Extreme fatigue.
- Lethargy.
- Blurred vision.
- Body feels weak.
Hyperglycemia does not necessarily mean you have diabetes. However, if left untreated, hyperglycemia can cause insulin production to decrease or the body to become insensitive to insulin. This condition can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Meanwhile, blood sugar levels that are too low are called hypoglycemia. Some symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- Tingling lips.
- Hunger.
- Hand or body trembling.
- Pale.
- Cold sweat.
- Drowsiness.
- Heart palpitations (heart palpitations).
- Anxiety.
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
Checking blood sugar levels
For people who have a history of diabetes, or even already have diabetes, it is very important to keep blood sugar levels within normal ranges. Therefore, checking blood sugar levels is mandatory to monitor the condition. This is because hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are both fatal.
Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is also one way to evaluate diabetes management. For monitoring, you can do it by using an independent blood glucometer.
However, for the initial screening and diagnosis of diabetes, some types of blood sugar level checks that may be performed include:
- Timed blood sugar test.
- Fasting blood sugar test.
- Test of oral glucose tolerance (TTGO).
- HbA1C test.
How to maintain normal blood sugar levels
Keeping blood sugar levels within normal limits is important, whether you have diabetes or not.
Some of the ways you can do to maintain normal blood sugar levels include:
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet.
- Eat more vegetables and fruits.
- Exercise light to moderate intensity for 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes a day.
- Maintain an ideal body weight.
- Eat regularly (do not skip meals).
- Fulfill fluid needs.
The above methods are not only to maintain blood glucose levels, but can also prevent you from developing type 2 diabetes if done consistently.
If the various methods above do not succeed in making your blood glucose levels return to normal, consult a specialist immediately. The doctor will perform several tests to find the cause of your hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
If diabetes is the cause of the abnormal blood sugar level, ask your doctor about what you should do to restore it. Your doctor will give you various medical advice, ranging from the necessary medication to lifestyle changes you should make.
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