Normal Blood Sugar Levels and the ADA
The American Diabetes Association has established two main times of the day when blood sugar levels are measured for reference and diagnostic purposes.
Normal Blood sugar levels and testing times are:
- Fasting blood sugar level: taken after at least an 8-hour time period when no food or drink has been consumed, in which case the levels should be between 70 and 100 mg/deciliter. (An explanation of the units of measure is given below.)
- Postprandial level: taken 2 hours after consuming food – for which the levels should be less than 140 mg/deciliter.
A1c blood sugar levels
To find out whether or not you have normal blood sugar levels, there is also an important blood test, not usually required unless the onset or existence of a diabetic condition is suspected, called the A1c or glycosylated hemoglobin test, this is a clinical blood test that is usually requisitioned by a physician every 3 or 4 months to help in the diagnosis of diabetes:
Glycosylated hemoglobin: This is a measurement of the percentage of hemoglobin molecules in the blood that have molecules of glucose attached to them. To be considered normal that percentage should not be greater than 6%.
Blood glucose levels fluctuate
The amounts of sugar in the blood varies throughout the day depending partly on when and what type of food and drink has been consumed, and also the quantity of food and drink. Exercise taken in a prior period may also have an affect on blood sugar levels
Why there is sugar in the blood
Sugar, in the form of glucose, is obtained from foods and beverages consumed and is an essential nutrient to keep the body alive. Glucose is used by the cells of the body as a source of fuel and energy to drive their constant cellular activities. There are several forms of sugar that can exist in foods, such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, and lactose, but it is the glucose form of sugar that the cells require.
When food is eaten, it is digested in the stomach and intestines, a process in which the various sugars are reduced to molecules of glucose that are then absorbed directly into the bloodstream, and which causes the blood glucose levels to rise. This continues until the needy cells absorb the glucose, part of a multi-step process that requires the presence and aid of a hormone called insulin, a substance produced in an organ of the body called the pancreas. Excess glucose is normally stored in another form elsewhere in fat cells of the body for later use if required.
Units of measure in reporting blood tests
In the United States, and some other countries, glucose in the blood is measured by weight and volume and the units of measure are the milligram for weight and the deciliter for volume. Hence: 100 mg/dL.
Canada and most other countries of the world measure by the molecular count and volume. The molecular count is given in millimoles and the volume used is the liter. Hence 5.6 mmol/L
To convert
To convert one system of measurement to another, divide mg/dL values by 18 – or multiply mmol/L by 18. For example: 100 mg/dL divided by 18 = 5.6 mmol/L. Or 7 mmol/L multiplied by 18 = 126 mg/dL.
Warning:
When after a simple metered blood test, blood sugars are higher than the above-noted normal blood sugar levels, it may indicate the presence of diabetes and should be checked out as soon as possible. There is no cure for diabetes, so it is essential to take action before it becomes a reality, for suggestions, check out Prevention is the Answer.
For opinions differing from The American Diabetes Association see Are Current Levels Too High?
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[...] than 6% in order to be considered free of diabetes. More details on this topic can be found at Normal Blood Sugar Levels and for more on diabetes, check out the list of topics at Diabetes Information [...]