This blood sugar chart shows normal blood glucose levels before and after meals and the recommended HbA1c levels for people with and without diabetes. When you wake up in the morning, your fasting blood sugar level is usually at its lowest point because you haven't eaten food for about eight hours. People with type 1 diabetes need to inject themselves with insulin or use it through a pump to control blood sugar levels. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is recommended that you learn how to control your blood sugar level with a meter so that you and your health care team can determine if your treatment plan is working for you.
It's important for people with diabetes to discuss their blood sugar goals with their healthcare provider. People with prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Fast-acting insulin is also used to help the body process food and to lower blood sugar levels when needed. In general, what is considered a normal blood sugar level may look different depending on the person's age, weight, gender, and other factors.
Fasting blood sugar (sometimes called fasting plasma glucose or FPG) is a blood sugar level that is measured after fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for at least eight hours. Remember that blood sugar levels can fluctuate throughout the day as a result of the factors listed above. You should also have glucagon handy to take with you everywhere, such as Baqsimi nasal spray, in case of a low blood sugar emergency. However, in people with diabetes, the body does not produce insulin or does not work properly and, as a result, blood sugar levels must be carefully regulated to avoid health complications.
Fasting blood sugar tests, two hours after meals, and HbA1c tests are important ways to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, as well as indicating how well a person's diabetes is being controlled. The HbA1c test is a blood test that provides the average blood glucose levels for the past three months. A fasting blood sugar level indicates what your blood sugar level is when you haven't eaten for at least 8 hours. Blood sugar levels can be normal, high, or low, depending on how much glucose a person has in their bloodstream.
A meal with a lot of carbohydrates (for example, cereal and waffles) will raise your blood sugar level faster than a meal that contains carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (for example, a hamburger and French fries).
