Your blood sugar levels are a critical part of your overall health and your body’s ability to function properly on a daily basis. For those of us with diabetes, striving to achieve “normal” blood sugar levels is a constant, hour-by-hour pursuit. And it isn’t easy.
In this article, we’ll look at “normal” blood sugar levels and goal ranges for a non-diabetic’s body, and realistic blood sugar goals for people with prediabetes, type 1, and type 2 diabetes.
Table of Contents
Normal blood sugar ranges in healthy non-diabetics
For a person without any type of diabetes, blood sugar levels are generally between 70 to 130 mg/dL depending on the time of day and the last time they ate a meal. Newer theories about non-diabetic blood sugar levels have included post-meal blood sugar levels as high as 140 mg/dL.
(If you live outside the US and are used to measures in mmol/L, just divide all numbers by 18)
Here are the normal blood sugar ranges for a person without diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association:
- Fasting blood sugar (in the morning, before eating): under 100 mg/dL
- 1 hour after a meal: 90 to 130 mg/dL
- 2 hours after a meal: 90 to 110 mg/dL
- 5 or more hours after eating: 70 to 90 mg/dL
Diagnosing prediabetes, type 2, and type 1 diabetes
Depending on which country or medical organization you ask, the qualifying numbers for “normal” versus “prediabetes” versus diagnosed type 1 or type 2 diabetes can vary slightly. The following blood sugar and A1c the general results are used to diagnosed prediabetes and diabetes according to sources including the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes UK:
Prediabetes
- HbA1c: 5.7 to 6.4 percent
- Fasting: 100 to 125 mg/dL
- 2 hours after a meal: 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL
Type 1 or 2 diabetes
- HbA1c: 6.5 percent or higher
- Fasting: 126 mg/dL or higher
- 2 hours after a meal: 200 mg/dL or higher
Please note: Type 1 diabetes tends to develop very quickly which means that by the time symptoms are felt, blood sugar levels are generally well above 200 mg/dL all the time. For many, symptoms come on so quickly they are dismissed as the lingering flu or another seemingly ordinary virus.
By the time blood sugar levels are tested, many newly diagnosed type 1 patients will see levels above 400 mg/dL or higher. If you do suspect that you or a loved-one has type 1 diabetes, visit your primary care or urgent care immediately and ask for a urine test to measure ketones in addition to testing blood sugar levels and A1c.
Read more about ketones at diagnosis in Diabetes Strong’s Diabetic Ketoacidosis Guide.
Your A1c and blood sugar goals
Managing any type of diabetes is far more complicated than giving a patient some insulin and telling them to keep their blood sugars within X and X. If you’ve lived with diabetes for more than a few days, you probably already know this.
What is A1c?
“A1c, hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c or glycohemoglobin test (all different names for the same thing) is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar over the last 2-3 months,” explains Christel Oerum in DiabetesStrong’s guide to lowering your A1c.
The prior two weeks of blood sugar levels before your blood is tested for your A1c have the largest impact on your results, but the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin (the protein in your red blood cells) in your body from the prior 3 months. The more glucose there is in your bloodstream from high blood sugar levels, the more glucose there is to attach to hemoglobin.
Translating your A1c to a blood sugar level
Using this easy calculator from the ADA, you can translate your most recent A1C result to an “eAG” or “estimate average glucose level.”
You can also use this translation when working to improve your A1c and achieving closer to normal blood sugar levels. If you know an A1c of 6.5 is an average blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or a range of 100 to 152 mg/dL, then you can look at your current blood sugar results on your CGM and meter and pinpoint which time of day you’re frequently higher than this range.
12% = 298 mg/dL or range of 240 – 347
11% = 269 mg/dL or range of 217 – 314
10% = 240 mg/dL or range of 193 – 282
9% = 212 mg/dL or range of 170 –249
8% = 183 mg/dL or range of 147 – 217
7% = 154 mg/dL or range of 123 – 185
6% = 126 mg/dL or range of 100 – 152
5% = 97 mg/dL or range of 76 – 120
“Normal blood sugar levels” in a person without diabetes can result in an A1c as low as 4.6 or 4.7 percent and as high as 5.6 percent.
Just a decade or two ago, it was rare for a person with type 1 diabetes to achieve an A1c result below 6 percent. Thanks to new and improved insulin and better technology like continuous glucose monitors and smarter insulin pumps, more people with diabetes are able to safely achieve A1c levels in the higher 5 percent range.
Why your A1c matters
In a nutshell: your A1c is one of the clearest indicators of your risk for developing diabetes complications like neuropathy (nerve damage in your hands and feet), retinopathy (nerve damage in your eyes, risking blindness), nephropathy (nerve damage in your kidneys), and severe infection in any part of your body that requires healing.
For instance, a small cut on your toe could become infected due to high blood sugars, struggle to heal, and become severe enough that the infection could lead to an amputation.
The general guidelines from the American Diabetes Association recommend an A1c at or below 7.0 percent for the best prevention of diabetes complications. Your risk of developing a diabetes complication continues to drop as your A1c drops closer to 6 percent.
Some people with diabetes aim for A1c levels in the 5s and lower — especially those who follow strict low-carb diets like the ketogenic diet and the Bernstein diet. However, this hasn’t been proven in research as especially necessary, nor is it reasonably achievable for the larger population of people with diabetes.
It’s also important to remember that your blood sugar levels and your A1c are just information that tells you whether your body needs more or less of factors like insulin, other diabetes medications, changes in your nutrition, and changes in your exercise.
If you don’t like the number you’re seeing on your glucose meter or your A1c results, use that number as motivation to make changes (with the support of your diabetes healthcare team) in how you safely manage your diabetes in order to get different results.
Determining the right A1c goal for you
Just because a normal blood sugar range of 70 to 130 mg/dL is considered the healthiest doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the appropriate goal range for you — especially if you have type 1 diabetes, or take insulin as a person with type 2 diabetes.
The reason this may not be the right goal for you is that extremely tight blood sugar management in people taking insulin can potentially lead to frequent low blood sugars — which can be dangerous.
Achieving extremely tight blood sugar management, like a range of 70 to 130 mg/dL, also often requires a strict nutrition plan, more frequent than usual blood sugar monitoring, precise medication management, and most importantly, years of experience studying your own blood sugar levels.
A1c goals should be individualized
“A1c goals should be individualized based on the individual capabilities, risks, and prior experiences,” explains Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE, founder of Integrated Diabetes, and author of Think Like a Pancreas.
“For example, we generally aim for very tight A1c levels during pregnancy and more conservative targets in young children and the elderly.”
However, Scheiner highlights important factors that could justify aiming for a higher A1c, like “hypoglycemia unawareness,” which is described as when a person with diabetes no longer feels the oncoming warning signs of low blood sugar. This can put you at significant risk for severe low blood sugars resulting seizures or death. To reduce that risk, you would aim for higher target blood sugar ranges.
“Someone with significant hypoglycemia unawareness and a history of severe lows should target higher blood glucose levels than someone who can detect and manage their lows more effectively,” adds Scheiner. “And certainly, someone who has been running A1c’s in double digits [like 10 percent or higher] for quite some time should not be targeting an A1c of 6%… better to set modest, realistic, achievable goals.”
Learn how to lower your A1c in DiabetesStrong’s A1C Guide.
Your blood sugar isn’t just because of what you eat
Mainstream media would have you believe that your blood sugar levels are impacted only by what you eat and how much you exercise, but people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who test their blood sugars frequently could tell you otherwise.
It’s especially important to keep this mind when looking at your own blood sugars and your goals because there are certain variables and challenges that impact blood sugar levels that you can’t always control.
For example:
- Menstrual cycles: raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- Adrenaline rushes from competitive sports, heated arguments, rollercoaster rides: raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- The common cold and other illnesses: usually raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- Hormonal changes due to puberty and healthy growth in young adults: raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- An injury which raises overall inflammation levels: raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- Glucogenesis during anaerobic exercise: raises blood sugar
While you can’t necessarily prevent these factors that affect your blood sugar from occurring, you can work with your diabetes healthcare team to adjust your insulin, other diabetes medications, nutrition and activity levels to help compensate for them when they do occur.
For example, when engaging in anaerobic exercise — like weightlifting — many people with type 1 diabetes find it necessary to take a small bolus of insulin prior to or during their workout because anaerobic exercise can actually raise blood sugar.
Learn more about exercising with diabetes in DiabetesStrong’s Fit with Diabetes ebook.
Still frustrated with your blood sugar and A1c results?
Your blood sugars and your insulin or medication needs never stay in one place. If you gain weight or lose weight, your insulin and medication needs will change. If you become more active or less active, your needs will change. If you make drastic or even small changes to your nutrition, your needs will change!
Working with your diabetes healthcare team, and diabetes coaches who can teach you how to make changes in your overall diabetes management plan are essential. Diabetes is a lifelong learning process.
Take a deep breath and be patient. If you don’t like what you’re seeing on your glucose meter, don’t get mad…get studying! Take good notes and work with your team to make changes to reach your goals.
Read more about improving your A1c in DiabetesStrong’s guide, How to Lower Your A1c.
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I checked my blood sugar early in the morning and the results was 3.1 but when I checked it again in the evening 30 minutes after eating I got 3.4.What does that mean?
Probably nothing, but if you’re concerned about diabetes I highly recommend that you get the proper blood work done by your doctor. If you live with diabetes and your blood sugar tends to run that low (assuming you apply enough blood to the test strip) you might need to have your meds adjusted
I am 71 years old and have been a type 2 diabetic for quite a few years. I know what my levels should be, I know what I should eat. I have been on insulin and now trying metformin and glimeperide. My levels are in the 60’s fasting in morning and in the 200’s a lot of times in the evening before bed. I have diabetic gastroparisis and am on warfarin for massive blood clots that went to my lungs. My biggest challenge is: I have a terrible craving for sweets that is uncontrollable. Do you have any suggestions as to what I could do to control the cravings?
When I have those cravings I do one of two things:
1) Choose to have something sweet and dose my insulin for it (not sure if you’re still on insulin)
2) Choose something sweet without the carbs, like tea or coffee with stevia, gum, sweetened chia pudding. sugar-free jello, etc.
Cravings often come if you completely cut something out. I have a huge sweet tooth so I incorporate sweet things, with and without carbs daily
Is 148 a great blood sugar level
That depends on so many factors that I can’t answer that
Mam
I have checked my blood sugar in fasting. It is 103 mg/dl. Is this normal? Please reply
It’s only one data point, so that doesn’t really tell you enough to be worried. As you read in the article the “normal” fasting range is up to 100 mg/dl which is pretty much your reading. I’d suggest you see your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. If you’re concerned you can ask for an A1c test
I was on metformin for 9 years and had a fasting glucose of 106 – 119 with a1c of 5.6. I have been off of all medications for 6 months and my blood work shows I have a fasting glucose of 110 – 120 however, after meals and before bed it is 89-92. My a1c is usually around 5.5 or 5.6 this blood test it was 5.8. Is this pre-diabetes or is my fasting level just my fasting level – “dawn phenomenon”. I have a hard time dropping weight and keeping it off and larger waist.
If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you’ll always have type 2 diabetes. You can revert your blood sugars to normal range, which it sounds like you’re very close to.
You can read more here: https://diabetesstrong.com/is-type-2-diabetes-reversible/
I was diagnosed type II diabetic 6 weeks ago and have been keeping my blood sugar between 90-130 with diet and exercise. I had surgery last week and now when test blood sugar fasting or before bed it’s at 250-280…should I be alarmed?
Congratulations on your great results. An increase in blood sugars when you’re under stress, such as post-surgery, is quite normal but I’d suggest you talk to your doctor. You’d want to ask your doctor if he/she would want you to manage your diabetes a little differently until you’re healed
What should I do my sugar is 4.7 and I am type two diabetes
If you’re feeling the symptoms of low blood sugar I’d suggest you eat 5-15 grams of carbohydrates. You should also discuss these low blood sugar episodes with your doctor. If you’re on medication, he/she might want to alter the dose
Hi, my mum was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic – the doctor told her that blood sugar was at 11.0. I assume this is mmol/L?
The doctor put her on Metformin and she has also been trying to eat better and has even lost a bit of weight. I have been testing her blood sugar with an AccuChec at-home glucometer. The first four times I tested her, once a week, her sugar was 109 mg dl, 105 mg dl and 93 mg dl – that was two or more hours after eating.
But today I checked it minutes after she ate – she had two slices of wholewheat toast and a drink. It was 139 mg dl. I am very concerned. Is it normal to go up so high minutes after eating?
It’s only one data point and it might be a faulty reading. Her blood sugars could also have been trending upward before the meal (for whatever reason, stress, sickness, dehydration, etc.) or something else. I don’t think 139 mg/dl is a dangerously high level and as long as it comes down, as it has before, your mom’s doctor most likely won’t be concerned. However, it always advisable to contact your doctor if you do have concerns. And I’d suggest writing down observations like this so you can bring them along to her next appointment
Thank you. You are so kind to answer everyone’s concerns.
Hi, I’m a 43 year old fit, slender woman. I am 5’9 and weigh 130 lbs. Over the past year I have lost 10 lbs, am constantly fatigued and excessive urination (especially at night). My fasting blood glucose has been around 110 on several blood test taken at dr. office. I have a meter at home and have occasionally checked blood sugar after eating and it is often between 140-150 3 hrs. after eating a meal. My A1c was checked once and it was 5.2 so my doctor said there is nothing to worry about. My father and all of his siblings had diabetes 2 (none of them excessively overweight) and an uncle with type 1.5. I understand that my readings aren’t in the range for diabetes but is this kind of elevation seem normal?
With an A1c at that level, I don’t think most doctors would be worried. However, you can always seek out a second opinion. Unexpected weight loss and fatigue could also be a sign that there could be something else going on, so you might want to focus on that. And if your doctor is dismissive, seeing someone else might be the way forward
I’ve recently been going really low in the morning and through tour the day I’ve hit lowest of 46 and highest of 217. I am not diagnosed diabetic but my girlfriend is a type one. She has been informing me on thing I can do to help myself and have me one of her old meters. Which I’ve been using to test 3 times a day. At first we thought I may just have hypoglycemia but now that she has seen me hit a high she and I are worried as all hell.
Please go see a doctor immediately and get all the appropriate tests done. Self-diagnosis, especially when it comes to diabetes, is not a good idea. I hope you get answers soon
Hello maam! I was panicking about the result of my HBA1C that is 11.30%. Then I started searching and reading about diabetes. I was to;d it is cetical now I am nerbous and cant get rest well. Some said I will undego dialysis. Is this true? I am only 26 with 2 small kids to raise in my own.
You only need dialysis if you have kidney failure, and not everyone develops that. However, kidney failure is a possible complication from having high blood sugars. All you can do is work on reducing your blood sugars so that they are closer to the normal range. You might need medication to assist you in this so please consult with your doctor immediately.
Thanks first for your help. I have type 2 and my sugar before meal in the morning is in between 152 – 170 I do 1 mile jogging 3 or 4 times a week and I don’t see ho lower. I’m with 4mg glymipiride, 1000 mg metformin and 500 mg januvia and eating most healthy I can and exercise.
I’d suggest you discuss a potential adjustment of your meds with your doctor. If you’re constantly above 150 mg/dl you most likely need changes
Hello I’ve been recently diagnosed Pre-diabetic. My sugar Was at a 39 when I found out and I felt as if I was dying for days but didn’t know why. Today I started to feel those same symptoms coming on so I checked and it was at a 78 . This is extremely scary for me! I’m unsure what to do to keep it up can you please help!
If you’re experiencing low blood sugars (everything below 70 mg/dl is considered hypoglycemia) I’d suggest you talk to your doctor. I don’t believe it’s normal, especially since you’re not injecting insulin. If that happens again before you see your doctor I would suggest consuming some fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or juice
My usual fasting blood sugar ranges 110-120. Recently it dropped to 85 and i felt nauseous and dizzy. Is this dangerous?
85 mg/dL is not considered low blood sugar, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t feel uncomfortable at that level. I’d suggest discussing it with your doctor and if you feel the need you can always eat a glucose tablet or a slice of fruit
My blood sugar is 88 after 6 hours past dinner is that ok or am I prediabetes
One blood sugar reading is not enough to determine anything. If you’re consered about diabetes, please see a medical professional who can conduct the appropriate blood tests
Hi I am recently diagnosed as Diabetes Type 2 in the beginning I was at 251 Mg fasting after I changed my diet (only veggies and lot of nuts with a good amount of exercise) and lifestyle changes all of a sudden in a week my readings came down to 110-122 mg fasting, Random is always between 105-130 and after the meal (1,5 hrs – 2 hrs) it is around 119-129 is this normal or can i consider that i had a temporary Diabetics? or my diabetes getting reversed? i am confused please help me
KR
Raj
Congrats on all your progress!
Sounds like you’ve achieved “normal” blood sugar levels and as long as you stick with your lifestyle changes you might continue to see “normal” levels. I’d recommend you read this article on whether Type 2 diabetes can be reversed: https://diabetesstrong.com/is-type-2-diabetes-reversible/
Hello,
Thank you for your reply
After continuing the same lifestyle i could manage to bring my fasting Sugar levels to normal range 97-101 , Post meal 125-130 and random is always under 100 (88-97) I have also lost 7 kilos of my weight in 3 months, i am working hard towards the reversing process i mostly consume Legumes and Veggies along with Chia, flaxseeds and Avocados as must in my daily food
I also tested how my sugars effects after I consumed normal amount of carbs and had also alcohol to test my fasting results and they were stable with 119-121,
Do you think i am reaching out close to the reversal process and what is your advice on when I can stop my medicines (Metformin)
Thanks in Advance for the Reply
KR
Raj
Your doctor should be the one to advise you on when alter your medication. Please never discontinue or alter the amount of medication you take without consulting with your medical team
Hello Mam,
Really it’s very helpful article to whom are suffering from Diabetes & big thanks to you for sharing with us this information.
Keep posting….
Once again thanks!
Hi,
I just checked my levels after 1.5 hours my last meal and it showed 193. Show i go for further tests or check my levels again after few more hours as i did have dessert after.
One single reading is not enough to make any conclusions. Make sure that your hands are clean and measure again. If your reading is still high I suggest you see a doctor to determine which tests to do next
Hi, recently i have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and i have been put on glim 2mg tablets by my doctor to start with along with the diet plan with no sugar and rice only veggies and sprouts as i am a lean person. i have been checking my sugar levels both fasting and after meal. Due to my late work schedule i have my lunch at 3pm or 3.30pm and when i check the sugar level after that it comes around 248 at 6.20pm and for fasting sugar level the last i did last was 112 around 12noon. So kindly guide me
I’m not a medical professional and suggest you bring those readings to your doctor and discuss what to do next. One thing that he/she might suggest is additional medication, or that you go for a walk after your meal since exercise often is a good way to reduce blood sugars
Check out LADA. Perhaps you are not type 2
My postprandial blood glucose level is 116 mg/dl 2 hours after a meal. Is that good?
That’s only marginally above the recommended range and only one data point so not enough to come to any conclusions. If you’re concerned about whether you have diabetes I’d suggest you see your doctor and have an A1c test done
hi
yesterday morning after breakfast i was check my sugar it is on 60 so today i going to lab and give blood sugar fasting test its result is 77 it is ok.???
That’s a little on the low side, so if you’re concerned, have your doctor run more blood work to see if you have any underlying condition that should be taken care off