What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level? The 2024 Chart Explained

02 Sep 2025

What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level? The 2024 Chart Explained Understanding normal blood sugar levels is crucial for maintaining overall health, especi...

What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level? The 2024 Chart Explained

Understanding normal blood sugar levels is crucial for maintaining overall health, especially for individuals with diabetes or those at risk. Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, fluctuate throughout the day and are influenced by factors such as diet, exercise, stress, and underlying health conditions. This article provides a comprehensive guide to normal blood sugar ranges in 2024, explaining how to interpret blood sugar readings and what to do if your levels are outside the normal range. We will delve into the specifics for different times of the day and for individuals with and without diabetes, offering actionable insights to help you manage your health effectively.

Why Blood Sugar Levels Matter

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential because it directly impacts how your body functions. Glucose is the primary source of energy for your cells, and insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps glucose enter cells from the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels are consistently too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia), it can lead to a variety of health problems.

Potential Consequences of Unstable Blood Sugar Levels:

  • Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar): Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to complications such as:
    • Heart disease
    • Kidney disease (nephropathy)
    • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
    • Eye damage (retinopathy)
  • Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): This can cause symptoms like:
    • Shakiness
    • Sweating
    • Confusion
    • In severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness

Related reading: Critical Signs Of Severe Hypoglycemia And What To Do Fast

Understanding normal blood sugar ranges and regularly monitoring your levels can help prevent these complications and promote better health.

The 2024 Blood Sugar Level Chart: Targets for Different Groups

The following chart outlines the generally accepted normal blood sugar levels for individuals with and without diabetes in 2024, as recommended by leading medical organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Normal Blood Sugar Levels for People Without Diabetes

| Time | Normal Range (mg/dL) | | ------------------------- | ---------------------- | | Fasting (upon waking) | 70-99 | | 1-2 hours after meals | Less than 140 |

Blood Sugar Level Targets for People With Diabetes

| Time | Target Range (mg/dL) | | ------------------------- | ---------------------- | | Fasting (upon waking) | 80-130 | | 1-2 hours after meals | Less than 180 |

Important Notes:

  • Individualized Targets: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor might recommend different targets based on your age, overall health, and specific diabetes management plan.
  • mg/dL vs. mmol/L: Blood sugar levels are typically measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the United States and some other countries. In other parts of the world, they are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). To convert from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide the mg/dL value by 18. For example, 100 mg/dL is equal to approximately 5.5 mmol/L.
  • HbA1c: In addition to daily blood sugar monitoring, the HbA1c test provides an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. The target HbA1c for most adults with diabetes is generally below 7%.

How to Check Your Blood Sugar

Regular blood sugar monitoring is an essential part of diabetes management and can also be beneficial for individuals who want to understand how their lifestyle affects their glucose levels. Here’s how to check your blood sugar using a standard glucose meter:

  1. Gather Supplies: You'll need a glucose meter, test strips specific to your meter, a lancing device, lancets, and alcohol swabs.
  2. Wash Your Hands: Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water. Dry them completely.
  3. Prepare the Lancing Device: Insert a new lancet into the lancing device, and adjust the depth setting to a comfortable level.
  4. Insert Test Strip: Insert a test strip into the glucose meter. Make sure the meter is powered on and ready.
  5. Prick Your Finger: Use the lancing device to prick the side of your fingertip. Gently squeeze your finger to encourage a small drop of blood to form.
  6. Apply Blood to Test Strip: Touch the edge of the test strip to the blood drop. The meter will start processing.
  7. Read the Results: After a few seconds, the glucose meter will display your blood sugar level. Record the result along with the date and time.
  8. Dispose of Materials: Safely dispose of the used lancet in a sharps container.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

For more continuous and convenient monitoring, consider using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). CGMs are devices that track glucose levels in real-time through a small sensor inserted under the skin. They provide data continuously throughout the day and night, alerting you to highs and lows and offering trends in your glucose levels. This technology significantly enhances diabetes management, providing valuable insights and reducing the need for frequent fingersticks.

Understanding Factors That Influence Blood Sugar Levels

Many factors can affect blood sugar levels, including:

  • Diet: The type and amount of carbohydrates you consume have a significant impact on blood sugar. Foods high in simple sugars and refined carbohydrates can cause rapid spikes.
  • Physical Activity: Exercise helps lower blood sugar as muscles use glucose for energy.
  • Stress: Stress hormones like cortisol can raise blood sugar levels.
  • Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can increase blood sugar.
  • Illness: Illnesses can also lead to elevated blood sugar levels due to the body's stress response.
  • Hydration: Dehydration can affect blood sugar concentrations.

Strategies for Managing Blood Sugar:

Related reading: A1C Vs Daily Blood Sugar Test Which Matters More For Diabetes Control

Related reading: Decoding Your A1C Test A Guide To Your 3 Month Blood Sugar Average

  • Balanced Diet: Focus on a balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Pay attention to carbohydrate portions and opt for complex carbohydrates over simple sugars.
  • Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
  • Stress Management: Practice stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
  • Medication Management: Follow your doctor's instructions for diabetes medications and monitor your blood sugar regularly to ensure they are effective.
  • Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to know when blood sugar levels warrant medical attention. Consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:

  • Consistently High Blood Sugar: If your fasting blood sugar is consistently above 130 mg/dL or your post-meal blood sugar is consistently above 180 mg/dL, seek medical advice.
  • Frequent Hypoglycemia: If you experience frequent episodes of low blood sugar (below 70 mg/dL), particularly if you take insulin or other diabetes medications.
  • Severe Symptoms: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, such as confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
  • Changes in Diabetes Management: If you notice that your current diabetes management plan is no longer effective or if you have difficulty managing your blood sugar levels, consult your doctor.

Advanced Blood Sugar Monitoring Techniques

Beyond traditional blood glucose meters and CGMs, advancements in technology offer enhanced tools for blood sugar management. These include:

  • Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM): This system involves wearing a sensor that provides glucose readings with a simple scan, without the need for routine fingersticks.
  • Smart Insulin Pens: These pens track insulin doses, provide reminders, and can share data with smartphones, enhancing adherence to insulin therapy.
  • Artificial Pancreas Systems (Closed-Loop Systems): These systems combine a CGM and an insulin pump to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on real-time glucose readings, mimicking the function of a healthy pancreas.

These advanced tools can provide greater control and convenience in managing blood sugar levels.

The Future of Blood Sugar Monitoring

The field of blood sugar monitoring is continually evolving, with research focused on developing non-invasive methods and more personalized approaches to diabetes management. Emerging technologies include:

  • Non-Invasive Glucose Sensors: Researchers are exploring various technologies to measure glucose levels without the need for skin puncture, such as sensors that use light, ultrasound, or radio waves.
  • Smart Contact Lenses: These lenses are being developed to measure glucose levels in tears.
  • Implantable Sensors: Long-term implantable sensors that provide continuous glucose readings are being researched.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI algorithms are being used to analyze glucose data and predict blood sugar trends, allowing for more proactive and personalized diabetes management.

These advancements promise to revolutionize blood sugar monitoring, making it easier, more convenient, and more effective for individuals with diabetes.