Normal Blood Sugar Levels Explained

Blood sugar levels are typically measured in two main scenarios: fasting blood sugar and blood sugar two hours after a meal. These measurements help determine if a person has normal blood sugar, prediabetes, or diabetes.

Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

In a normal, healthy individual, fasting blood sugar levels should be less than or equal to 6.1 mmol/L. Fasting means no caloric intake for at least eight hours prior to the test. This measurement provides a baseline understanding of how well the body regulates glucose without the influence of food.

Post-Meal (2 Hours After Eating) Blood Sugar Levels

Two hours after the first bite of a meal, normal blood sugar levels should be less than or equal to 7.8 mmol/L. This test helps assess how effectively the body processes glucose after eating, which is crucial for diagnosing metabolic issues.

Diagnosing Diabetes

If fasting blood sugar is consistently equal to or greater than 7.0 mmol/L, or post-meal blood sugar reaches 11.1 mmol/L or higher, it may indicate diabetes. These thresholds are widely recognized in medical guidelines and are used in conjunction with symptoms and other tests to confirm a diagnosis.

Prediabetic Conditions

Impaired Fasting Glucose

When fasting blood sugar falls between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/L, it is classified as impaired fasting glucose. This condition indicates that blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Similarly, if blood sugar levels two hours after eating range between 7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L, it is referred to as impaired glucose tolerance. Both impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance are categorized under the broader term of "impaired glucose regulation."

Understanding Impaired Glucose Regulation

Impaired glucose regulation is considered an early warning sign of potential diabetes development. Individuals with these conditions are at a higher risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes and should consider lifestyle modifications, such as improved diet and increased physical activity, to delay or prevent the onset of the disease.