HEALTH EDUCATION

What are normal blood sugar levels?

Learn about the symptoms of high and low blood sugar
levels and the normal ranges for kids and adults
By SingleCare Team | Updated on May 26, 2022
Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.

What are normal blood sugar levels? | Types of diabetes

| Blood sugar level charts for those with diabetes | Low
blood sugar symptoms | High blood sugar symptoms |
How to get tested for diabetes | When to see a healthcare
provider

Blood glucose levels are the amount of glucose, or sugar,

that someone has in their blood at any given time. Having
high or low blood sugar levels could indicate an
underlying health condition that may require medical
attention. Use this overview of normal blood glucose
levels to understand what your blood sugar levels mean.

What are normal blood sugar

levels in healthy individuals?
Blood sugar levels can either be normal, high, or low,
depending on how much glucose someone has in their
bloodstream. Glucose is a simple sugar that’s present in
the bloodstream at all times. Blood glucose levels can be
measured at any time, for example, when someone fasts
(in the morning upon awakening), before they eat, or after
they’ve eaten. A normal blood glucose level for adults,
without diabetes, who haven’t eaten for at least eight
hours (fasting) is less than 100 mg/dL. A normal blood
glucose level for adults, without diabetes, two hours after
eating, is 90 to 110 mg/dL.

Many factors affect blood sugar levels throughout the

day:

Type of food consumed, how much, and when

Physical activity
Medications
Medical conditions
Age
Stress
Dehydration
Illness
Menstrual periods
Alcohol

An ideal blood sugar level for anyone without diabetes or

prediabetes, regardless of age, in the morning should be
less than 100 mg/dL. Remember, blood sugar levels can
fluctuate throughout the day as a result of the factors
previously mentioned.

Types of diabetes
Before going into blood sugar levels, here is a brief
overview of the different types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system
attacks cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is not
caused by diet or lifestyle. It is known as insulin-
dependent diabetes, meaning that insulin is required in
order to live. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children
and young adults, but can occur at any age. There is no
way to prevent type 1 diabetes, and there is currently no
cure.

People with type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin—or use

insulin via a pump—to control blood sugar levels.
Although it is important for everyone to have a healthy
diet and exercise, people with type 1 diabetes will need
insulin every day (regardless of what they eat) to keep
blood sugar levels in range.

People with type 1 diabetes use several kinds of insulin.

For example, basal insulin (which is injected once or twice
daily or given through the pump) holds blood sugar
steady under fasting conditions. A fast-acting insulin is
also used, to help the body process foods, and to bring
down blood sugar levels when necessary.

Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults over age 45,
but can occur in chidren and younger adults. In type 2
diabetes, cells do not respond properly to insulin. This is
called insulin resistance. The pancreas has to work harder
to make more insulin and eventually can’t keep up and
blood sugar rises.

There are certain risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Some

risk factors include: having prediabetes, being
overweight, having a family member with type 2 diabetes,
getting little physical activity, or having a history of
gestational diabetes.

For people with type 2 diabetes, diet, exercise, and oral

medications are used to control blood sugar. Sometimes,
injectable medications (insulin—or other injectable
medicines that are not insulin but help lower blood sugar)
are used as well.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes sometimes occurs in pregnant
women. Having gestational diabetes increases the risk of
your baby having health problems. In most cases,
gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born.
However, you will have a higher risk of getting type 2
diabetes later in life. Also, your baby is more likely to have
obesity during childhood and teenage years, and is more
likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Women with
gestational diabetes will be instructed to make dietary
changes and exercise more, and they will be closely
monitored. In some cases, insulin or diabetes medication
(such as metformin) may be needed to help lower blood
sugar levels.

Prediabetes
People with prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are
higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes. Having prediabetes increases the
risk of having type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Blood sugar level charts for

those with diabetes
Normal blood sugar levels, for those with diabetes, will
vary depending on someone’s age and the time of day.
For example, when fasting, blood sugar levels are often in
the target goal range. The type of food eaten will impact
blood sugar levels in different ways. A meal with a lot of
carbohydrates (for example, cereal and waffles) will raise
blood sugar quicker than a meal that contains
carbohydrates, protein, and fat (for example, a hamburger
and french fries). Blood sugar will rise after a meal, but will
start to return to normal levels in several hours.

Let’s take a look at what blood sugar levels should be, in

those with diabetes, based on their age.

Target blood sugar levels in

children with diabetes

Children younger than 6 years Blood sugar in

old mg/dL

Fasting 80-180

Before meal 100-180

1-2 hours after eating ~180

Bedtime 110-200

Children under 6 years of age should have blood glucose

levels that range from about 80 to 200 mg/dL each day.
This range is considered healthy, and the amount of
glucose in a child’s body will fluctuate from the time they
wake up to after they’ve eaten meals and again before
bedtime. For this reason, kids with diabetes or
hypoglycemic episodes may have to have their blood
sugar levels tested in the middle of the night by their
parents. Many children (and adults) with type 1 diabetes
wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which displays
glucose levels all the time and mostly eliminates the need
for finger sticks.

Target blood sugar levels for

children and adolescents with
diabetes

Age 6-12 Blood sugar in mg/dL

Fasting 80-180

Before meal 90-180

1-2 hours after eating Up to 140

Bedtime 100-180

Kids aged 6 to 12 should have blood sugar levels that

range between 80 to 180 mg/dL over the course of a day.
Blood sugar levels go up after eating a meal because the
body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is
then distributed throughout the bloodstream. Other
macronutrients—protein and fat—turn into glucose as
well, but at a slower rate. Many people learn how to use
these factors to their advantage. For example, if a child’s
sugar is trending low, a bedtime snack that includes
something with protein and fat, like chocolate milk or
peanut butter, will help raise blood sugar levels and help
keep blood sugar levels steady through the night.

RELATED: Sleepover tips for children with diabetes

Target blood sugar levels for

teenagers with diabetes

Age 13-19 Blood sugar in mg/dL

Fasting 70-150

Before meal 90-130

1-2 hours after eating Up to 140

Bedtime 90-150

Teenagers should have average blood sugar levels that

range between 70 to 150 mg/dL over the course of their
day. Teenage years can often be the most difficult for
adolescents with diabetes to manage, not only because
of the hormonal component, but also because managing
diabetes requires a lot of responsibility.

Target blood sugar levels for adults

with diabetes

20+ years of age Blood sugar in mg/dL

Fasting Less than 100

Before meal 70-130

1-2 hours after eating Less than 180

Bedtime 100-140

When you wake up in the morning, your fasting blood

sugar is generally at its lowest because you haven’t
consumed food for about eight hours. However, many
people experience an increase in blood sugar levels in
the early morning hours. If you’re an adult and struggling
with glucose control, your healthcare provider can help
you develop a treatment plan to manage your blood
sugar better.

Blood glucose levels outside the ranges listed above are

categorized as either high or low blood sugar. For
example, according to this chart, blood sugar levels are
considered high if they’re over 130 mg/dL before a meal
or 180 mg/dL within one to two hours after a meal. Many
people won’t start to experience symptoms from high
blood sugar until their levels are at 250 mg/dL or higher. .

Low blood sugar symptoms

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is what
happens when blood glucose levels drop too low. People
who take insulin may have low blood sugar if they take
too much insulin or mistime the insulin dose in relation to
food, or if they exercise more than usual when there is
fast-acting insulin “on board” (in the body).

Your healthcare provider will tell you when and how to

check blood sugar, and when and how to treat low blood
sugar. A low blood sugar is generally considered to be
less than 70 mg/dL. A dangerously low blood sugar is
below 54 mg/dL.

Low blood sugar can also be caused by many things

including certain medications or combinations of
medications, alcohol, endocrine disorders, eating
disorders, and disorders of the liver, kidneys, or heart.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that

someone with low blood sugar might experience:

Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Confusion
Irritability
Shakiness
Nervousness
Anxiety
Sweating
Clamminess
Having a fast heart rate
Pale skin
Hunger
Sleepiness
Fainting
Tingling lips

If your blood sugar is low you might start to feel some of

the first signs of hypoglycemia like dizziness,
lightheadedness, or sweating. The only way to know for
sure if your blood sugar is low is to test it with a glucose
meter (a glucose monitoring device) or monitor it with a
continuous glucose monitor such as the Dexcom G6.

If your blood sugar is low (or if you don’t have access to

these tools and start to feel the symptoms of low blood
sugar), a general rule of thumb is to consume 15 grams of
fast-acting carbs (such as Smarties, apple juice, or
glucose tablets) to raise your blood sugar levels and
avoid further symptoms, according to the American
Diabetes Association (ADA). Your healthcare provider will
give you a plan for what to do in case of low blood sugar
that is specifically designed for you.

You should also have glucagon on hand, that you take

everywhere with you, such as Baqsimi nasal spray, in case
of a low blood sugar emergency. After learning how to
use it, teach your family, friends, and caregivers how to
administer it to you in case of an emergency where you
are unconscious and cannot eat or drink. Also, always
wear a medical alert identification to let first responders
know that you have diabetes in case of an emergency.

High blood sugar symptoms

Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar.
Hyperglycemia happens when the body doesn’t have
enough insulin or when it can’t use insulin correctly. Many
things can cause high blood glucose levels like Type 1
diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, stress, illness, or the dawn
phenomenon. If you have hyperglycemia or suspect you
may have it, talking with a healthcare provider is always a
good idea. A doctor can help you determine what’s
causing your high blood sugar levels and help you lower
it to a healthy range.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that may

indicate hyperglycemia:

Fatigue
Increased thirst and hunger
Frequent urination
Weight loss
Headaches
Blurred vision
Difficulty concentrating

Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to a condition called

diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is where the body
creates waste products called ketones that can build up
in the blood and become life-threatening. A blood or
urine test can check for the presence of ketones.
Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

Abdominal pain
Fast, deep breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Exhaustion
Fruity-smelling breath
Vision loss (in rare cases)

Your healthcare provider will give you a treatment plan

that indicates when you should seek immediate medical
attention.

“When patients experience any of these accompanied by

elevated blood sugar levels, diabetic patients are advised
to go directly to the ER to avoid diabetes-induced coma,”
says Vikram Tarugu, MD, a gastroenterologist and the
CEO of Detox of South Florida. “Patients who have
elevated blood sugar may also present with frothy,
ketone-like smelling breath.”

Here are some lifestyle changes and medical treatments

that can help treat hyperglycemia:

Eat whole, low sugar foods that are minimally

processed to keep the amount of glucose in the
body at a lower level.
Only exercise if there are no ketones present in
the bloodstream. You can check if you have
ketones with a urine test or blood glucose meter.
Drink lots of water to help your body get rid of
sugar in your urine.
Use your insulin to correct high blood sugar
levels. Your healthcare provider can help you
determine the correct insulin dosages to help
reduce elevated blood sugar levels.
Take medications as per your healthcare
provider’s recommendations. Some of the most
commonly prescribed medications for high blood
sugar are Metformin HCl, Glipizide, and Glyburide.

How to get tested for

prediabetes, Type 1 and Type 2
diabetes
Your healthcare provider may order tests regularly based
on your age and risk factors. Or, if you are experiencing
certain symptoms, your doctor may order testing to check
your blood sugar.

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A1C test
A hemoglobin A1C test, known as “A1C,” is a measure of
blood sugar control over 3 months. This test can be done
in the lab; however many endocrinologists can perform
this test with a finger stick in the office.

You can find various charts that convert average blood

sugar levels to an A1C. For example, an average blood
glucose of 154 mg/dL converts to an A1C of about 7%.
Your provider will tell you what your goal A1C should be.

In general terms, a normal A1C in people without diabetes

is 5.6% or less. A level of 5.7 to 6.4% is in the prediabetes
range (and the higher the number in this range, the
greater the risk is for developing type 2 diabetes), and a
level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes.

Fasting blood sugar test

This test can be done in the lab or the healthcare
provider’s office with a simple finger stick—or your doctor
may prescribe a meter and have you test regularly at
home. (Some people have a CGM where they can see
their blood sugar levels in real time.)

A fasting blood sugar level indicates what your blood

sugar is when you haven’t eaten for at least 8 hours. For
adults without diabetes, a normal fasting blood sugar is
less than 100 mg/dL. A fasting blood sugar level of 100-
125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or
higher indicates diabetes.

Glucose tolerance test

A glucose tolerance test will measure your blood glucose
levels before and after you drink a sugary liquid. You will
first have a fasting blood sugar level taken. Then you’ll
drink the sugary liquid, and have your blood sugar tested
1 hour later, 2 hours later, and possibly 3 hours later. At
the 2-hour mark, a normal blood sugar is considered to
be 140 mg/dL or lower, while 140-199 mg/dL indicates
prediabetes and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

When to see a healthcare

provider
Getting professional medical advice from a healthcare
provider like an endocrinologist is the best way to learn
more about whether your blood sugar levels are where
they should be. Not getting proper treatment for low or
high blood sugar levels can be serious and lead to health
complications, especially for those with diabetes.
Diabetes complications include nerve damage, kidney
disease, heart disease, or heart attacks.

If you see a healthcare provider about your blood sugar

levels, be prepared to answer questions about risk factors
like what you eat, how much you exercise, and about your
family history. Some healthcare providers may want to
take a blood sample to test your blood sugar levels. They
may also order an A1C test, which is a blood test that
measures blood sugar control over three months. You
may have to fast eight hours beforehand to get accurate
test results, so it’s always a good idea to check before
your appointment. Your healthcare provider can create a
diabetes treatment plan if you are prediabetic or have
diabetes.

Be sure your treatment plan includes instructions on

when you would need to seek emergency medical care.
Emergency rooms are equipped to handle high blood
sugar levels and can administer treatments like insulin
therapy and fluid or electrolyte replacement.

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