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 breaks down the carbohydrates in these foods into glucose. The small intestine absorbs glucose into the bloodstream. In the blood stream, glucose combines with insulin, a hormone excreted by the pancreas, to spread the energy to perform all 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 for the blood sugar level maintained by the body for its smooth functioning is at 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 fall. Extra glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen, easily reabsorbing itself in the blood stream, when the sugar levels drop.

Blood Sugar Levels Chart
The following table of blood sugar is based on the average blood sugar measurements of a normal healthy adult.

Category	Minimum Value	Maximum Value
Normal	70 mg	100 mg
Early Diabetes	101 mg	126 mg
Established Diabetes	More than 126 mg	-

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 people. 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 be ideally measured using the fasting glucose or the OGTT to diagnose diabetes. However, it prefers that the test be at least done twice, at different times, to confirm diabetes. It is common for pregnant women to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of hyperglycemia (high sugar level). The urine glucose is another method for screening sugar levels. It is done using the urinalysis, mostly as a part of a physical or prenatal checkup. It also helps to diagnose a urinary tract infection. A urine glucose test is generally followed by blood glucose testing.

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 sugar using home kits are fairly simple. A drop of blood taken from a skin prick is placed onto a glucose strip, which is then inserted into a glucose meter, a small machine that provides a digital record as well as a readout of the blood glucose level 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.

Keeping blood sugar levels in check is not that difficult. Diet plays a prominent role in maintaining sugar levels. A lower intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, such as white flours, bread, and white rice helps. Eating smaller meals at regular intervals with a diet rich in protein and fiber will help regulate glucose levels in the blood. For people suffering with diabetes, a diabetic diet is known to control sugar. Physical activity will keep the body's weight down, enabling the body 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.