Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Your Guide to mg/dL and mmol/L Readings Related reading: The Complete Blood Sugar Levels Chart By Age For Non Diabetics Amp ...

Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Your Guide to mg/dL and mmol/L Readings

Understanding your blood sugar levels is critical for managing diabetes and maintaining overall health. Whether you're newly diagnosed or a seasoned veteran, knowing what those numbers mean – in both mg/dL and mmol/L – is essential. This article provides a comprehensive blood sugar levels chart and guide to help you interpret your readings and take appropriate action.

Why Understanding Blood Sugar Levels Matters

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial for preventing both short-term and long-term complications associated with diabetes. Consistently high levels (hyperglycemia) can lead to organ damage over time, while consistently low levels (hypoglycemia) can be immediately dangerous. Regular monitoring and understanding your readings allow you to make informed decisions about diet, exercise, and medication, helping you stay within your target range. Furthermore, knowing the difference between mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and mmol/L (millimoles per liter) is key because different regions use different units of measurement.

Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Target Ranges

The following chart outlines the general target ranges for blood sugar levels at different times of the day. These ranges may vary depending on individual circumstances and your doctor's recommendations. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Time of Day	Target Range (mg/dL) for People with Diabetes	Target Range (mmol/L) for People with Diabetes	Target Range (mg/dL) for People without Diabetes	Target Range (mmol/L) for People without Diabetes
Fasting (Before Breakfast)	80-130 mg/dL	4.4-7.2 mmol/L	70-99 mg/dL	3.9-5.5 mmol/L
2 Hours After Meal	Less than 180 mg/dL	Less than 10.0 mmol/L	Less than 140 mg/dL	Less than 7.8 mmol/L

Important Considerations:

Individual Targets: Your target blood sugar levels might differ based on your age, type of diabetes, overall health, and other factors. Discuss your personalized targets with your doctor.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, target blood sugar levels are generally lower.
HbA1c: The HbA1c test provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Target ranges are typically below 7% for people with diabetes, but your doctor will determine the best target for you.

Understanding mg/dL and mmol/L

mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) is the unit most commonly used to measure blood sugar in the United States, Japan, and several other countries. It represents the concentration of glucose in a specific volume of blood.

mmol/L (millimoles per liter) is the unit used in Canada, Europe, and many other parts of the world. It also measures glucose concentration in blood, but uses a different scale.

Conversion: To convert from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide the mg/dL value by 18. To convert from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply the mmol/L value by 18.

Example: 100 mg/dL is equal to 5.5 mmol/L (approximately).

What To Do If Your Blood Sugar is Too High (Hyperglycemia)

If your blood sugar levels are consistently above your target range, you may experience symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and fatigue.

Steps to Take:

Check Your Blood Sugar: Confirm the elevated reading with a repeat test.
Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to help flush out excess glucose.
Adjust Medication: If you take insulin or other diabetes medications, you may need to adjust your dosage (under the guidance of your doctor).
Exercise (Cautiously): If you feel well enough, light exercise can help lower blood sugar. However, avoid vigorous activity if your blood sugar is very high, as it could potentially increase it further. Consult your doctor about exercise guidelines.
Contact Your Doctor: If your blood sugar remains high despite taking these steps, contact your healthcare provider for advice.

What To Do If Your Blood Sugar is Too Low (Hypoglycemia)

If your blood sugar levels drop below your target range, you may experience symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, dizziness, hunger, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia requires immediate treatment.

Steps to Take:

Check Your Blood Sugar: Confirm the low reading.
Consume Fast-Acting Carbohydrates: Eat or drink 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, regular (non-diet) soda, or hard candies.
Wait 15 Minutes: Recheck your blood sugar after 15 minutes.
Repeat if Necessary: If your blood sugar is still low, repeat the process.
Eat a Meal or Snack: Once your blood sugar is back in the target range, eat a meal or snack to prevent it from dropping again.
Contact Your Doctor: If you experience frequent or severe episodes of hypoglycemia, talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication or treatment plan.

Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Levels

Many factors can influence your blood sugar levels, including:

Food: The type, amount, and timing of your meals and snacks significantly impact blood sugar.
Physical Activity: Exercise can lower blood sugar both during and after the activity.
Medications: Insulin and other diabetes medications directly affect blood sugar. Other medications can also have an impact.
Stress: Stress hormones can raise blood sugar.
Illness: Illness can also cause blood sugar to rise.
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels (e.g., during menstruation or pregnancy) can affect blood sugar.
Alcohol: Alcohol can initially raise blood sugar, but may cause it to drop later on, especially if consumed on an empty stomach.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Follow a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Limit sugary drinks, processed foods, and excessive amounts of carbohydrates.
Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar Regularly: Check your blood sugar as directed by your doctor and keep a log of your readings.
Take Medications as Prescribed: Adhere to your prescribed medication schedule and dosage.
Manage Stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Work with Your Healthcare Team: Regularly consult with your doctor, diabetes educator, and other healthcare professionals to develop a personalized diabetes management plan.

The Importance of Regular Monitoring and Professional Guidance

This blood sugar levels chart is a valuable resource, but it's essential to remember that it's a general guide. Individual needs vary, and what's considered "normal" for one person may not be for another.

Regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels and working closely with your healthcare team are crucial for effectively managing diabetes and preventing complications. Your doctor can help you establish personalized target ranges and develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.