The Ultimate Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Normal, Prediabetes, and Diabetes Ranges by Age

23 Aug 2025

The Ultimate Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Normal, Prediabetes, and Diabetes Ranges by Age Understanding your blood sugar levels is essential for maintain...

The Ultimate Blood Sugar Levels Chart: Normal, Prediabetes, and Diabetes Ranges by Age

Understanding your blood sugar levels is essential for maintaining good health and preventing or managing diabetes. Whether you're aiming to prevent the onset of diabetes, managing existing diabetes, or just curious about optimal ranges, knowing the target values is key. This article provides a comprehensive blood sugar levels chart covering normal, prediabetes, and diabetes ranges, broken down by age groups, fasting vs. after-meal levels, and important considerations.

Why is Monitoring Blood Sugar Important?

Related reading: The Dangers Of High Blood Sugar How It Impacts Your Body Long Term

Monitoring your blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is vital for several reasons:

  • Diabetes Prevention: Identifying prediabetes early can help you make lifestyle changes to prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.
  • Diabetes Management: For individuals with diabetes, regular monitoring helps ensure that blood sugar levels remain within a healthy range, reducing the risk of complications such as nerve damage, kidney problems, and heart disease.
  • Overall Health: Even for those without diabetes, understanding your blood sugar levels provides insights into your metabolic health and can help you make informed dietary and lifestyle choices.
  • Avoiding Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia: Monitoring helps prevent dangerously low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar events, both of which can have immediate and long-term health consequences.

Blood Sugar Levels Chart: By Age Group

While the following ranges offer a general guide, it is absolutely crucial to consult your healthcare provider for personalized target ranges, as individual health conditions can influence these figures. The values below represent mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).

Related reading: Are You Making These 5 Common Mistakes That Sabotage Blood Sugar Control

Adults (Non-Pregnant)

This table summarizes general blood sugar targets for adults who are not pregnant:

Category Fasting (mg/dL) 2 Hours After Eating (mg/dL) HbA1c (%)
Normal Less than 100 Less than 140 Less than 5.7%
Prediabetes 100 to 125 140 to 199 5.7% to 6.4%
Diabetes 126 or higher 200 or higher 6.5% or higher
  • Fasting Blood Sugar: Measured after at least eight hours of fasting (no food or sugary drinks).
  • 2 Hours After Eating: Measured two hours after the start of a meal.
  • HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin): Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It doesn't require fasting.

Children and Adolescents (Under 18)

Managing blood sugar in children and adolescents is vital for healthy growth and development.

Category Fasting (mg/dL) 2 Hours After Eating (mg/dL) HbA1c (%)
Target Range (Diabetes) 70-150 (Consult a doctor) Less than 180 (Consult a doctor) Less than 7.5% (Consult a doctor)
Normal (No Diabetes) 70-100 Less than 140 Less than 5.7%
  • These values are especially crucial for children with Type 1 Diabetes; individualized targets from a pediatric endocrinologist are essential.
  • The goal for children and adolescents is to maintain levels as close to normal as safely possible.
  • For those with diabetes, maintaining tighter control is generally better, although the risk of hypoglycemia needs to be carefully considered and managed.

Older Adults (65+)

For older adults, blood sugar targets may be adjusted based on overall health, other medical conditions, and life expectancy. Tighter control may not always be beneficial due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia.

Related reading: The Ultimate Blood Sugar Levels Chart By Age Fasting Amp After Eating

Category Fasting (mg/dL) 2 Hours After Eating (mg/dL) HbA1c (%)
Healthy Older Adults 80-130 Less than 180 Less than 7.5%
Less Healthy/Frail Older Adults 90-150 Less than 200 Less than 8.5%
  • Individualized goals are essential. A healthcare provider will consider cognitive function, frailty, and other health conditions when setting targets.
  • Minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia is a priority.

Pregnant Women (Gestational Diabetes)

Managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy is vital for both the mother's and the baby's health.

Category Fasting (mg/dL) 1 Hour After Eating (mg/dL) 2 Hours After Eating (mg/dL)
Gestational Diabetes Targets Less than 95 Less than 140 Less than 120
  • These targets are crucial for preventing complications such as macrosomia (large baby size) and pre-eclampsia.
  • Regular monitoring and close collaboration with a healthcare provider are essential.

Factors That Influence Blood Sugar Levels

Several factors can affect your blood sugar levels:

  • Diet: Carbohydrates, especially simple sugars, can raise blood sugar rapidly.
  • Physical Activity: Exercise helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity.
  • Medications: Some medications, such as steroids and certain antidepressants, can increase blood sugar. Diabetes medications, such as insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents, lower blood sugar.
  • Stress: Stress hormones can increase blood sugar.
  • Illness: Illnesses can also increase blood sugar due to hormonal changes and inflammation.
  • Dehydration: Dehydration can concentrate glucose in the blood, resulting in higher readings.
  • Sleep: Insufficient or poor sleep quality can affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

How to Monitor Blood Sugar Levels

There are several ways to monitor your blood sugar levels:

  • Glucometer: A handheld device that measures blood sugar from a small drop of blood, typically obtained by pricking your finger.
  • Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): A device that continuously tracks blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, providing real-time data.
  • HbA1c Test: A blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, usually performed in a healthcare setting.

What to Do If Your Blood Sugar is Too High or Too Low

  • Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar): If your blood sugar is consistently high, consult your healthcare provider. They may adjust your medication, diet, or exercise plan. Staying hydrated and monitoring your ketones (especially in Type 1 diabetes) are important.
  • Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): If your blood sugar is too low (usually below 70 mg/dL), consume fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candy. Check your blood sugar again after 15 minutes. If it's still low, repeat the process. If you experience severe hypoglycemia (loss of consciousness), seek immediate medical attention.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Making the following lifestyle changes can significantly improve your blood sugar control:

  • Healthy Diet: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Limit sugary drinks and processed foods.
  • Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
  • Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Stress Management: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
  • Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
  • Regular Monitoring: Regularly check your blood sugar as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways

Understanding and monitoring your blood sugar levels is vital for preventing and managing diabetes, as well as for maintaining overall health. The information presented in this guide is for informational purposes only. Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized target ranges and management strategies based on your specific health needs. Use this blood sugar levels chart as a starting point for informed discussions with your doctor. Early detection, appropriate management, and healthy lifestyle choices are key to living a long and healthy life.