What is a fasting blood sugar? 

• Blood sugar level after not eating for 8 hours[2]

What is a normal fasting blood sugar?

• ​70-99 mg/dL for a person without diabetes[1]

• 80-130mg/dL for a person with diabetes[2]

What is should your blood sugar be 2 hours after eating? 

• Less than 140 for a person with diabetes[1]

• ​Less than 180 mg/dL for a person without diabetes[2]

What is considered a Low Blood sugar or hypoglycemia? 

• A blood sugar reading that is less than 70 mg/dL in someone without diabetes[1]

• A blood sugar reading that is less than 80 mg/dL in someone with diabetes[2]

What should you do if your blood sugar is less than 70mg/dl? 

• Low blood sugar can be considered dangerous and should be treated immediately. If you are experiencing hypoglycemia (a blood sugar of less than 70mg/dl), you should[1]: 

Eat any available snack that contains about 15g of carbohydrates ​(sugar)

OR

4 glucose tablets

OR​

4 ounces of orange juice or regular soda

OR

4 pieces of hard candy 

AND

Check your blood sugar again after 15 minutes[1]

** If you do not feel better in 15 minutes and your blood sugar is still lower than 70 mg/dL, eat another 15 g of carbohydrates and check you blood sugar again in 15mins. 

**Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is at least 70 mg/dL. Once your blood sugar is back to normal, eat a meal to make sure it doesn’t lower again [3]

** If your blood sugar still does not improve after you have eaten sugar-containing snacks, have some one drive you to the emergency room. If you are alone, call your local emergency number immediately (such as 911). DO NOT DRIVE WHEN YOUR BLOOD SUGAR IS LOW. 

** If a person with a low blood sugar is not alert or cannot be woken up, seek medical help immediately. DO NOT FORCE AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON TO EAT/SWALLOW due to increased risk for choking and aspiration. 

**When treating a low, the choice of carbohydrate source is important. Complex carbohydrates, or foods that contain fats along with carbs (like chocolate) can slow the absorption of glucose and should not be used to treat an emergency low[3].

What is considered a high blood sugar or hyperglycemia?

• A blood sugar reading that is greater than 240 mg/dL[1]

What should you do if your blood sugar is greater than 240mg/dl? 

• If your blood sugar is greater than 240 and you feel ill, take an over-the-counter ketone test, and call your provider immediately. If you do not have a ketone test available, go ahead and call your healthcare provider right away[1]. 

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Note: These numbers are general recommendations. Recommendations may vary based on age, sex, and overall health status of each person. Always speak to a provider to receive individualized recommended blood glucose levels 

 

References

[3] American Diabetes Association. (2020). Hypoglycemia: Low blood glucose. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/medication-management/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia

[2] Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Manage blood sugar. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/manage-blood-sugar.html 

[1] Virginia Mason. (2020). What are normal blood glucose levels. https://www.virginiamason.org/whatarenormalbloodglucoselevels