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.
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): Less than 100 mg/dL
- 1-2 hours after a meal: Less than 140 mg/dL
- 2-3 hours after eating: Less than 100 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 results are used to diagnose 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 that 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 our 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 achieve 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 like Metformin, 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 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 in 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.”
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 in 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, or rollercoaster rides: raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- The common cold and other illnesses: usually raise blood sugar and insulin needs
- Hormonal changes due to puberty and healthy growth in young adults: raises blood sugar and insulin needs
- An injury that 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.
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.
I was diagnosed with type two diabetes, not long ago. My A1c was 10.1. Still waiting to take another blood test to see if I was able to lower that. One thing that confuses me is when I should test myself. I know I should test myself in the morning while fasting. I know I should test myself after meals. It’s just the whole timing thing. I am confused about. Most people say test two hours after your meal. Is that two hours from the first bite of your meal or two hours from when you finished your meal Last bite?
Most doctors will ask you to measure in the morning, to know your fasting blood sugar. Before (the first bite) and 2 hours after (finishing) meals to better understand how your blood sugars react to meals
I have been frustrated with my fasting blood glucose levels. I am the type to fast, get my kids off to school then about an hour and a half after waking, I get around to having my blood work. What I didn’t realize is that as soon as you are up and about, your glucose automatically begins to rise to support your muscles needs. So when I was checked, my levels were in the 110-120 range. This concerned my dr. I asked for an Rx for the Dexcom G7 monitor. My insurance refused to pay for it unless I was injecting insulin three times daily. This is how they keep you from being healthy! I paid out of pocket for it and found that before rising out of bed, my glucose numbers were perfect. It has been a game changer for me and an eye opener for my dr who did not really understand how glucose rises and falls. I have to say, my diet is much better now that I can see how certain foods effect my blood levels. I have to watch my numbers but don’t need to be on medication which was what my dr was headed down the road for me!
I am 60 year old male who has recently been diagnosed type 2 diabetes. I was on 750 mg once A-day of metformin. After 3 weeks I began to throw up my arms and legs felt very weak so it was on a weekend did not know what to do I was scared. It was electric acidosis. So the next day I did not take the met Foreman. I felt much better the next day. I called the nurse to my doctor told them. The problem they said if I took the medicine it would be my own decision until I can see the doctor what I’m trying to figure out is what is. A normal blood glucose level when I tested it was 102 the nurse said that was low. Yet everywhere I read it says something about 99 to a 100 and something? What is a good blood glucose level to have and keep because? I am so unsure mine keeps bouncing anywhere from 157 to 211 and then it pops back down to a 140. Something or a 150 something or even a 122 a 138? When I wake up in the morning could someone please help me understand? This disease better thank you very much for anything you can tell me.
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having reactions to Metformin. It’s important that you see your doctor and get a new treatment plan to help you manage your blood sugars.
A 102 mg/dl blood sugar is not considered low but is considered within the normal range. We should each work with our doctors to set individualized blood sugar goals but the high-level guidelines suggest aiming for blood sugars between 70-180 mg/dl.
To get a better understanding and so that you can ask all the questions you might have I’d suggest you ask your doctor to refer you to a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
Wish you all the best pal. Can you tell, at what time you are taking metformin? What’s your weight? What is your eating routine? Have you lately introduced any changes to your eatings habits due to this? Regards
I have been on low carb high protein diet for 4 weeks. My diabetic sugar levels fluctuate to 105 to 112. I am type 2 diabetic. I have not taken any insulin at all. I test in the morning. Is it possible to fix this without medication?
I think you’ll find this article helpful, it explains to what extent type 2 diabetes is reversible https://diabetesstrong.com/is-type-2-diabetes-reversible/
I am 57 years old and I am the petent of type 2 diabetes start from 2018. When the problen found for the first time my suger level was 254 and I started metformin and the suger level drop down with in a week. But stil I am on metformin 500mg morning and 500mg evening and my fasting suger level can not exceed more than 128mg/dl until and 2-3 hours after meal can not exceed more than 157mg/dl until now. But now my problem is I have diarrhea for 2 weeks the maximum frequencu to the bath room will be 3 times perday. But mostly 2 times a day, and I have stomach cramping in the night around 4am until I drink the water, and also I have a bitter test in my mouth in the morning. But after I drink a cup of water the stomach cramp will gone and I can get relif the whole day.
Can you advise me about the explaine problem?
Thank you!!
Diarrhea and other digestive problems is unfortunately one of the most common side effects of Metformin. You can read more here: https://diabetesstrong.com/can-metformin-cause-diarrhea/
No mention here that many meds (especially steroids) have the effect of making blood levels higher. Also, drugs taken for transplant patients have that effect.
Yep. Some mental health drugs, particularly second generation antipsychotics, can also cause increased blood glucose levels.
Hi,
I am a 45 year old male, both my parents have a history of diabetic, i cought covid twice and before that my gkucose level was in the border line between normal and prediabetic. 2 weeks ago i checked and it shot up to 7, and a fasting level 146. Now i have been doing calories deficit (intermitent diet) for 2 weeks, I lost 3kgs and i monitor my sugar level 2-3x daily. Fasting Sugar level ranging 120-135, the odd thing is 2 hours after lunch my sugar level reading is 99-110 always lower than fasting. I am going to a doctor next month, Can I get an enlightment and opinion from You?
Thank You so much and I enjoy your explaination above.
Revy
Well done. The decrease could be because when you eat your pancreas secretes more insulin and your muscle and liver won’t put out as much glucose. Given the progress, you’re making your doctor might just tell you to continue doing what you’re doing and check in again in 2-3 months
This is called dawn phenomena please search it more and no need to worry you are in the transition state to reverse your pre diabetics