Low Blood Sugar Levels Chart

The amount of sugar (glucose) present in blood can be measured with simple blood tests. Blood sugar levels keep on changing throughout the day and night. Blood sugar is generally at its lowest level in the morning and its level drastically rises after each meal. Diet and physical exercise are the main factors that influence blood sugar levels. 'High blood sugar levels' is one of the main symptom of diabetes. Before taking a look at the low blood sugar levels chart, let us see what causes low blood sugar levels.

What Causes Low Blood Sugar Levels

The normal range of blood sugar levels is 80 - 120 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) in the morning (after fasting for at least 8 hours). Normally, if the blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL, the person is said to suffer from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. Causes of low blood sugar levels are

• Hormone Imbalance: Hormones like insulin, glucagon, epinephrine (or adrenalin), cortisol, growth hormone, help maintain blood sugar levels. Dysfunction of glands like adrenal glands, pituitary gland, pancreas and liver can lead to serious fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
• Medications: High dose of medicines that are used to control high blood sugar levels can cause hypoglycemia. Wrong use of medicines can also cause hypoglycemia. Use of certain medications such as beta blockers, quinine (used to treat malaria), aspirin and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a group of antidepressant drugs), can result in low blood sugar levels.
• Alcohol: Alcohol abuse can result in low blood sugar levels in adults. Consumption of alcohol without consuming enough and proper food can affect the function of the liver, causing low blood sugar levels.
• Starvation: Starvation, fasting or missed meals can cause low blood sugar levels in children as well as adults. Food is necessary for the formation of glucose and energy.
• Insulin: Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia develops when insulin is produced by the body in an unnatural or excessive way. This condition leads to reactive hypoglycemia.
• Diseases: Liver and kidney disorders can affect the process of blood sugar regulation. Severe infections can be one of the major causes of low blood sugar.
• Tumors: Pancreas produces insulin and so, pancreatic tumors are one of the main causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes.
• Other Causes: Adrenal abnormality, congenital defects, pituitary disorders are some other causes of low blood sugar levels.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels Chart

Time of the Day	Blood Sugar Level
Early Morning (Before Breakfast)	80 - 120 mg/dl
Before Other Meals	80 - 120 mg/dl
Two Hours after a Meal	140 - 160 mg/dl
Before Bed	100 - 140 mg/dl

As mentioned above, high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia indicate diabetes. Here is a high blood sugar levels chart which provides basic information that can be helpful in diagnosing diabetes.

High Blood Sugar Levels Chart

Category	Fasting Sugar Minimum Value	Fasting Sugar Maximum Value	Sugar Value Two Hours after Consuming Glucose
Normal	80 mg	100 mg	Less than 140 mg
Early Diabetes	101 mg	126 mg	140-200 mg
Established Diabetes	More than 126 mg	-	More than 200 mg

Low Blood Sugar Levels Chart

Category	Blood Sugar Level
Normal	80 - 120 mg/dl
Borderline Hypoglycemia	70 mg/dl
Fasting Hypoglycemia	50 mg/dl
Insulin Shock	Less than 50 mg/dl

Low blood sugar can result in weakness, confusion, headache, irritability, excessive hunger, excessive sweating or fatigue. You may experience trembling and if your blood sugar still drops down, you could have a seizure. Increasing glucose intake, like drinking fruit juice, can help raise your blood glucose.

Remember, the above low blood sugar levels chart provides you guidelines only. The ideal blood sugar levels range for you may be different from another person's and the level of glucose in blood would keep on changing throughout the day. The point at which the severe effects of low blood sugar levels would be experienced may vary from person to person. For some, blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL can be hypoglycemic, while for others the 'trigger point' can be at 60 mg/dL. So, you need to consult your doctor about how much of blood sugar should be running, to keep you safe. He will tell you what blood sugar range is normal for you.