What is normal blood glucose
What Is Blood Sugar?
What does it mean when someone refers to blood sugar level in your body? Blood sugar level (or blood sugar concentration) is the amount of glucose (a source of energy) present in your blood at any given time.
A normal blood glucose level for a healthy person is somewhere between 72 mg/dL (3.8 to 4 mmol/L) and 108 mg/dL (5.8 to 6 mmol/L). It, of course, depends on every individual alone. Blood sugar levels might fluctuate due to other reasons (such as exercise, stress and infection).
Typically blood sugar level in humans is around 72 mg/dL (or 4 mmol/L). After a meal the blood sugar level may increase temporarily up to 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). This is normal.
A blood sugar level between 72 mg/dL (4 mmol/L) and 108 mg/dL (6 mmol/L) is considered normal for a healthy adult.
Note: mg/dL and mmol/L are units of measure. mg/dL is mostly used in USA whereas mmol/L is mostly used in EU and other parts of the world. For easier conversion try our mg/dL mmol/L conversion tool.
What Is Normal Blood Sugar Level?
Adults
A normal blood sugar level is between 72 mg/dL and 108 mg/dL (4 to 6 mmol/L) for a healthy person.
The concentration of glucose in the blood of a healthy person in the morning on an empty stomach is between 68 mg/dL and 108 mg/dL (3.8 and 6.0 mmol/L). Two hours after consuming foods or drinks rich in carbohydrates, the values are usually between 120 and 140 mg/dL (6.7 and 7.8 mmol/L).
Children
For children up to 6 years of age desired blood sugar level before eating is between 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L) and 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Before sleep values should be between 110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L) and 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L).
For children between the age of 6 and 12, before eating, blood sugar levels should be between 90 mg/dL (5 mmol/L) and 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Before sleep values should be between 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L) and 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L).
Children aged 13 to 19 should expect similar readings than those of adults.
Blood Sugar Levels Chart
Blood sugar levels rise and drop during the day. This is normal. However, dramatic fluctuations in your blood glucose levels may indicate problems.
Dramatic changes of blood sugar levels have significant physical symptoms and will increase your risk of diabetes-related complications.
Click on the image below to view a larger blood sugar levels chart.
| Glucose mg/dL or mmol/L | Value |
|---|---|
| less than 110 mg/dL or 6 mmol/L on an empty stomach | normal value |
| between 110 mg/dL or 6.1 mmol/L and 125 mg/dL or 6.9 mmol/L on an empty stomach | limit value |
| more than 125 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/L on an empty stomach | possible diabetes |
| more than 198 mg/dL or 11.0 mmol/L anytime | possible diabetes |
| Glucose mg/dL or mmol/L | Value |
|---|---|
| Before breakfast (fasting) | 70 – 130 mg/dL or 3.9 – 7.2 mmol/L |
| Before lunch, supper and snack | 70 – 130 mg/dL or 3.9 – 7.2 mmol/L |
| Two hours after meals | less than 180 mg/dL or less than 10mmol/L |
| Bedtime | 90 – 150 mg/dL or 5 – 8.3 mmol/L |
| A1C (also called glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c or glycohemoglobin A1c) | less than 7% |
Please note that you should perform several consecutive blood glucose tests and not rely on one single measurement.
The next chart displays all possible blood sugar (glucose) levels along with a short explanation of what the indicators are.
| Blood Sugar Levels | Indication |
|---|---|
| Less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) | Low fasting blood sugar |
| 70 to 108 mg/dL (3.9 to 6 mmol/L) | Normal fasting blood sugar for adults |
| 110 to 125 mg/dL (6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L) | Impaired fasting glucose (pre-diabetes) |
| 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) and above in more than one test result | Diabetes |
| about 70 to 140 mg/dL (3.9 to 7.8 mmol/L) | Normal postprandial blood sugar |
| about 142 to 199 mg/dL (7.9 to 10.9 mmol/L) | Borderline postprandial blood sugar. May indicate pre-diabetes. |
| Less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) | Hypoglycemia (Initial Stage) |
| 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) | Hypoglycemia (Fasting) |
| less than 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) | Insulin Shock |
| 145 – 200 mg/dL (8 – 11 mmol/L) Post meal | Value suggesting early diabetes |
| More than 200 mg/dL (11 mmol/L) Post meal | Value suggesting established diabetes |
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