Chart for Blood Sugar Levels

Blood sugar, also known as glucose is present in our bloodstream. Glucose is our body's primary source of energy, produced by digesting the sugar and starch in carbohydrates. The enzymes and bile in the digestive system break down the carbohydrates in these foods into glucose. The small intestine absorbs glucose into the bloodstream. In the blood, glucose combines with insulin, a hormone excreted by the pancreas, to provide energy to perform physical and mental activities. To find out the normal, high and low glucose levels, let's take a look at the chart for blood sugar levels.

The normal range of the blood sugar level maintained by the body for its smooth functioning is about 70 to 150 mg/dL. It is normal for the sugar level to fluctuate throughout the day. Glucose levels are the lowest in the mornings, and mostly tend to rise for a couple of hours after meals, depending on the volume of carbohydrates consumed. Our body has an excellent mechanism to regulate normal blood sugar levels, in case of a dip. Extra glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen, easily reabsorbing itself in the bloodstream, when the sugar levels drop.

Blood Sugar Levels Chart
Normally, the blood sugar levels are tested on an empty stomach, usually after a gap of six to eight hours after having the last meal. This is known as fasting blood sugar level. The following chart on blood sugar levels is based on the average blood sugar measurements of a normal healthy adult taken after fasting.

Category	Minimum Value	Maximum Value
Normal	70 mg/dL	100 mg/dL
Pre Diabetes	101 mg/dL	126 mg/dL
Established Diabetes	more than 126 mg/dL	-

Here is another table showing the average blood sugar levels of a normal healthy adult, 2 hours after eating a meal.

Category	Minimum Value	Maximum Value
Normal	70 mg/dL	less than 140 mg/dL
Pre Diabetes	141 mg/dL	200 mg/dL
Established Diabetes	more than 200 mg/dL	-

How is Blood Sugar Measured?
Blood glucose testing is done to screen healthy, asymptomatic individuals for diabetes. Glucose in the blood is measured as whole blood serum, also known as plasma. An increase or decrease in the blood sugar levels in the human body can lead to, either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, respectively. Most people with hyperglycemia are diagnosed with diabetes. Blood glucose test is conducted to monitor glucose levels in individuals. It can be measured on a fasting basis, randomly, post prandial (after a meal), and/or as part of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT/GTT). According to the American Diabetes Association, blood sugar should ideally be measured using the fasting glucose or the OGTT which may help diagnose diabetes. However, it is advisable that the test be done at least twice, at different times, to confirm diabetes.

It is common for pregnant women to be screened for gestational diabetes anywhere between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of hyperglycemia (high sugar level). An oral glucose tolerance test is done to ascertain whether a pregnant women is suffering from gestational diabetes. The urine glucose test is another method for monitoring blood sugar levels in the body. It is done using the urinalysis, mostly as a part of a physical or prenatal checkup. The urine glucose test also helps to diagnose urinary tract infection. If a pregnant women is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then her fasting blood sugar levels is greater than 95 mg/dL and her blood sugar readings before meals ranges from 140 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL.

Diabetics can monitor their own blood glucose levels, several times in a day, to record the levels of sugar in their blood. Many home testing kits are available in medical stores and can be bought on medical prescriptions. The method to test blood sugar using home kits is fairly simple and straightforward. A drop of blood taken from the pricked finger is placed onto a glucose strip, which is then inserted into the glucose meter; a small machine that provides a digital record as well as a readout of the blood glucose level. The test is completed in about 30 seconds. Most kits also come with charts, where one can record the sugar level changes. These charts have proved to be very useful to doctors, while determining the need for oral medication or insulin.

Controlling Blood Sugar
Keeping blood sugar levels in check is not that difficult. Diet plays a prominent role in maintaining normal glucose levels. A lower intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, bread, and white rice is generally advised, as a preventive measure for diabetes. Eating smaller meals at regular intervals with a diet rich in protein and fiber will help regulate glucose levels in the blood. People suffering from diabetes are advised to follow a diabetic diet plan, which will help control sugar. Regular and moderate physical activity can also keep a check on a person's weight, enabling him/her to regulate sugar levels.

Using the above chart for blood sugar levels as a reference, one can check blood sugar levels regularly to stay fit and healthy. Sugar levels may vary, as per the meals taken and activity done. However, on an average, it should range between normal levels, to keep diseases associated with high and low blood sugar at bay.