What Blood Sugar Levels Indicate High Blood Sugar?

When blood sugar levels rise above normal, it can be an early sign of potential health issues. Specifically, a fasting blood glucose level of ≥6.1 mmol/L or a post-meal (2 hours after eating) blood glucose level of ≥7.8 mmol/L is considered elevated. However, it's important to note that high blood sugar doesn't automatically mean a person has diabetes. During medical evaluations, doctors may assess not only fasting and post-meal glucose levels but also conduct random blood sugar tests, such as checking glucose levels one hour after a meal, which can provide additional insights into how the body is managing sugar.

Understanding Diabetes Diagnosis Criteria

In clinical settings, a diagnosis of diabetes is typically considered when a person has a fasting blood glucose level of ≥7.0 mmol/L or a 2-hour post-meal or random blood glucose reading of ≥11.1 mmol/L. These thresholds are widely accepted in the medical community and serve as key indicators for diagnosing diabetes.

Identifying Prediabetes: Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Fasting Glucose

If a person's blood sugar levels fall between 7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L after eating, this is classified as impaired glucose tolerance, which is a prediabetic state. Similarly, if fasting blood sugar is above 6.1 mmol/L but below 7.0 mmol/L, the condition is referred to as impaired fasting glucose. Both of these conditions are considered early warning signs and fall under the broader category of prediabetes.

Next Steps After Elevated Blood Sugar Readings

If during routine testing, a person's fasting glucose exceeds 6.1 mmol/L or their 2-hour post-meal or random glucose readings go above 7.8 mmol/L, it's highly recommended to visit a healthcare facility for further evaluation. One of the most accurate diagnostic tools is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which provides a more comprehensive understanding of how the body processes glucose over time. This test is essential for confirming whether someone has prediabetes, diabetes, or maintains normal blood sugar levels.