Blood Sugar Level for Adults – Detailed Explanation

When our blood sugar level increases after taking a meal, our pancreas plays its role by releasing insulin. It signals the body to absorb the sugar from the blood to get the level back to normal. Doctors recommend that people with diabetes keep track of their blood sugar levels by having a blood glucose meter at home. You can take the test with a small blood sample from the fingertip.

When you have type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t make any insulin; in type 2, your body doesn’t respond to it appropriately. It can result in high sugar levels for an extended period. And with time, it may damage the blood vessels and nerves and can result in heart disease and other issues.

Follow the doctor’s instructions about the home blood glucose meter. He will guide you about how to take the test. Each time you take the test, note it in a diary, app, or online tool. Also, note down the time or if you have taken it before or after a meal. So, keep track of all the relevant information your doctor can ask for.

• When did you have your last meal, what you ate, or were you fasting
• Any medication and their dosage
• How intense work them out you were doing and its interval

It will benefit the doctor to see your blood sugar management.

Why the blood sugar rises in people with diabetes?

The food we eat is converted into glucose and released into our bloodstream. The blood sugar level for adults gets high after eating and increases glucose. The increase in sugar level signals the pancreas to release more insulin.

Insulin plays its role in the absorption of glucose. As a result, the blood sugar level returns to an average level. The absorption process benefits the maintenance and regulation of the intermediate blood sugar level.

But in diabetes, the body either has insulin deficiency or becomes insulin resistant. Due to this, the blood cells don’t absorb average blood glucose, which results in more than regular sugar in the bloodstream and causes diabetes. Diabetes comes with many other issues like loss in muscle weight, acidity, low energy level, insomnia, and thyroid stress.

With time, uncontrolled sugar levels can result in many other severe issues like eye problems, kidney, heart, nerves, and blood vessel issues. However, with proper exercise, sleeping patterns, a healthy diet, and stress management, you can reverse diabetes.

It’s vital for a person with diabetes to maintain a healthy blood sugar level in the recommended range. It can be obtained by living a healthy lifestyle and an ideal diet. Following a sustainable diet plan benefits in reversing type 2 diabetes for many people, and it’s not that difficult to maintain it.

Average Blood sugar level before and after a meal

Blood sugar, also known as the blood glucose level, can vary from low to high. Generally, it’s recommended to measure the blood glucose level after 8 hours of eating. A healthy adult’s average blood glucose level can range from >70 to <100 mg/dL. After 2 hours of eating, the normal range is between 90 to 100 mg/dL.

Blood glucose level continuously changes throughout the day. Some significant factors that cause the blood changes in the blood glucose level are:

Food variety

Everything we eat affects our blood glucose level. For example, high-calorie, rich-carb food increases the blood sugar level.

Food quantity

The quantity of food affects the average blood sugar level. And eating too many calories results in increasing the sugar level in the body.

Physical activity

Physical activity has a high impact on our blood sugar levels. For example, rigorous work decreases the blood sugar level, whereas less to no physical activities do the opposite. Many people can reverse their type 2 diabetes by getting constant support from the Diabetes Reversal Coaches. They help them decide how much daily exercise will maintain their blood sugar levels.

Medical conditions

Medical conditions like liver disease and hypoglycemia can change the blood sugar level.

Medications

Many medications disturb normal blood sugar levels.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol can result in a sudden drop in the blood glucose level, especially in hypoglycemic persons.

Smoking

Smoking is among the significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Age

In all human bodies, insulin resistance decreases with time, increasing type 2 diabetes chances.

Stress

Stress and anxiety only hurt our health. Mental or physical stress results in increasing the blood glucose level.

Dehydration

Dehydration lowers the blood glucose level.

You can take care of the issues mentioned above by closely monitoring them. Make sure you live in a healthy and supportive environment in which other people are helping you to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

Blood sugar level for adults (By age)

Graphics Credit: Robustalive.com

During diabetes, the blood sugar level remains high. But sometimes, they can fall below the average level. Therefore a continuous change in glucose levels is observed in diabetic patients. Here is the detailed blood glucose level chart for diabetic patients.

Here is the chart of blood sugar levels for adults before and after food.

Random blood sugar level

Random blood sugar tests can be done at any time of the day. It’s done irrespective of the regular timetable. It confirms diabetes during and after treatment. A level of 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes mellitus.

The primary purpose of this random sugar test is to check the glucose level at an unexpected time. The arbitrary blood sugar level for adults is 200mg/dL or above, showing the person has diabetes. It benefits the timely treatment of diabetes. RBS test is especially recommended for the person with the following symptoms.

• Dehydration or dry mouth
• Unintentional weight loss
• Hay vision
• Recurrent urination
• Slow wound healing

Healthy average blood glucose level for diabetic adults

1. In a diabetic patient of 20 years or above, the blood sugar level remains between 100 to 180 mg/dL.
2. The fasting blood glucose level should be between 70 and 100 mg/dL to avoid diabetic complications.
3. At night blood sugar levels should be between 100 to 140 mg/dL.
4. The blood sugar level for women shows the average blood glucose range should be 100 to 140 mg/dL at bedtime and >70 and <100 mg/dL during fasting.
5. In diabetic pregnant ladies, the blood sugar readings should be tighter and between 70 to 89 mg/dL after the fast. To avoid any delivery-related problems, it’s, keep of the sugar level.

High and low blood sugar levels for adults with diabetes

The chart below shows the dangerous blood sugar level in diabetes patients. The red level column shows the indicators that need emergency treatment, whereas the yellow ones show that they need medical attention to avoid complications. So, a sugar level above 250 mg/dL is dangerous.

If the sugar level rises above 250 mg/dL, consult the doctor immediately.

Here is the chart for high and low blood sugar levels in diabetic adults.

Conclusion

According to your current health condition, blood glucose levels can get low or high. Blood sugar level for adults is the simple and easy way to know about them. But remember to consult an endocrinologist about the blood glucose levels and the main reason for their changes.

If you have diabetes, keep track of your blood sugar levels to ensure they are in range. In this way, you can avoid all diabetes-related complications. It’s not that difficult to keep the blood sugar level in a healthy range by making positive adaptations in the lifestyle.

Many people successfully manage their diabetes by eliminating their dependency on insulin or medications.

FAQ’s

What is the average blood sugar level for adults by age?

90 to 130 mg/dL is adults’ average blood sugar level. From 90 to 130 mg/dL is for children 13 to 19. And for the 6 to 12 years old90 to 180 mg/dL is the recommended level. Whereas 100 to 180 mg/dL is ideal for children under six.

What is the normal glucose range for people with diabetes?

Keep the blood glucose levels close to the recommended range as it will avoid complications. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetic people should have 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dL after meals.

What is the average blood sugar level by the age of 50?

The blood glucose level of adults above 20 should be between the 100 to 180 mg/dL range.

Does drinking plenty of water lower the blood sugar level?

Drinking water regularly benefits in rehydrating the blood, reducing diabetes risk, and lowering the blood sugar level. Remember that zero-calorie drinks, especially water, are best for you. Avoid all the sugary options as they can raise your blood sugar level, resulting in weight gain and increased diabetes risk.

What is the healthy blood glucose level in the morning?

Before having breakfast, your blood sugar level should range between 70 to 130 mg/dL and 70 to 180mg/dL during other times of the day.

Is a sugar level of 6.5 high?

Below 5.7% is the normal range. While 5.7 to 6.4% is pre-diabetic and 6.5 to higher on at least two separate tests indicate diabetes.

Does fasting increase blood sugar?

Continuously skipping the morning breakfast can increase blood glucose after lunch and dinner. And with time, it becomes difficult to control the blood sugar level

What time of the day blood sugar level is at its peak?

The dawn phenomenon is the early morning rise in which blood glucose, also known as the blood sugar in diabetic patients. The dawn phenomenon leads to a high blood sugar level called hyperglycemia. It generally takes place between a.m. to 8 a.m.

References

https://www.mayoclinic. org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451

https://www.singlecare .com/blog/normal-blood-glucose-levels/

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html#:~:text=A%20fasting%20blood%20sugar%20level,higher%20indicates%20you%20have%20diabetes.

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/normal-blood-sugar-levels-chart-adults

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/12363-blood-glucose-test

https://www.diabetes .co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html