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Blood Glucose

Blood glucose, also called blood sugar, concentration indicates the level of glucose in a person's blood and is measured in the US in weight (milligrams) per volume (deciliter) or short mg/dLmiligrams per deciliter.

Blood glucose levels are tightly regulated by the body and change depending on the time point measured, i.e. before or after meals. In the morning, before breakfast, blood glucose levels are low (= "fasting level") and rise after a meal for 1-2 hours. Exercising can lower blood glucose levels again.

Diabetes is characterized by persistently high levels. See Figure 1 for target values of a diabetic person.

Blood glucose concentration can be measured by a blood glucose meter. Keeping track of blood glucose levels is an integral part of managing diabetes.

This image shows a reference table comparing blood glucose levels for three different health statuses, which is normal, pre diabetes, and diabetes. The table is organized by the Time of Check, showing how target ranges fluctuate based on meals and time of day. The measurements are provided in milligrams per deci liter. The content of the table is as follows. For fasting or before eating, the normal level is 70 to 99 milligrams per deci liter, the pre diabetes level is 100 to 125 milligrams per deci liter, and the diabetes level is 80 to 130 milligrams per deci liter. For two hours after glucose or O G T T, the normal level is less than 140 milligrams per deci liter, the pre diabetes level is 140 to 199 milligrams per deci liter, and the diabetes level is les than 180 milligrams per deci liter, which is measured 1 to 2 hours after a meal. For before a meal, the normal level is 70 to 99 milligrams per deci liter, the diabetes level is 80 to 130 milligrams per deci liter, and for pre diabetes, no specific range is listed for this category. For after a meal, the normal level is less than 140 milligrams per deci liter, the diabetes level is less than 180 milligrams per deci liter, and for pre diabetes, no specific range is listed for this category. Lastly, for bedtime, the normal level is approximately 70 to 100 milligrams per deci liter, the diabetes level is 90 to 150 milligrams per deci liter, and for pre diabetes, no specific range is listed for this category.

Figure 1: Blood glucose target values for a person with type 2 diabetes

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Referred from:

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Diabetes mellitus
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Blood Glucose Meter
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Blood Glucose Measurement
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HbA1C test
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Managing Type 2 Diabetes
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Non-Insulin Medication