How To Read Blood Sugar Levels

What Are Blood Sugar Targets

A blood sugar target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. These are typical targets:

• Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL.
• Two hours after the start of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL.

Your blood sugar targets may be different depending on your age, any additional health problems you have, and other factors. Be sure to talk to your health care team about which targets are best for you.

Eat More Fiber To Improve Blood Sugar Levels

Eating more fiber can improve your health and help you control high blood sugar levels. Including a lot of fiber in your diet is an effective way to control your hunger levels and help regulate blood sugar levels. In addition to its health benefits, eating more fiber can also help control weight. However, its important to know that there are some caveats when it comes to incorporating dietary changes. Here are some things to keep in mind.

First of all, you should add more fiber to your diet. This is because added fiber is not the same as natural fiber found in whole foods. The fiber grams in food will affect your blood sugar depending on how its digested. You should also avoid adding foods high in chicory root fiber, which is commonly added to low-carb products. This artificial fiber will make the net carbohydrate content appear higher than it is.

A high-fiber diet helps control blood sugar levels. It can help people stay full longer. Fiber is also helpful in reducing visceral belly fat. This is why a high-fiber diet is beneficial for people with diabetes. A diet rich in fiber is a good way to control your diet and keep your weight in check. It is very simple and cheap to increase your daily fiber intake. Its easy and convenient to eat more fiber by choosing whole grain bread or oat bran.

What Do I Do With The Results

You need to keep track of your results. There are a few ways you can do this. You can write them down in a record book. Use a small notebook or ask your doctor for a blood testing record book. Depending on the type of monitor you have, you may be able to keep track of the results on your computer or smartphone. Whatever method you use, you may also want to keep track of what you have eaten, when you took medicine or insulin, and how active youve been during the day. This will help you see how these things affect your blood sugar. Talk with your doctor about what is a good range for your blood sugar level and what to do if your blood sugar is not within that range.

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What Should I Aim For

Effective management of diabetes is all about aiming for a careful balance between the foods you eat, how active you are and the medication you take for your diabetes. Because this is a delicate balance, it can be quite difficult to achieve the best possible blood glucose management all the time.

The ranges will vary depending on the individual and an individuals circumstances. While it is important to keep your blood glucose levels as close to the target range of target range between 4 to 6 mmol/L as possible to prevent complications, it is equally important to check with your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator for the range of blood glucose levels that are right and safe for you. Therefore the following information should be treated only as a general guide.

Symptoms Of Diabetes That May Prompt An A1c Test

As mentioned by the NIH, a doctor may recommend an A1C test if a person shows signs of poor glucose control, diabetes, or prediabetes.

Warning signs can include:

• increased urination, especially at night
• increased hunger
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• slow healing sores

• long-term use of glucocorticoids, antipsychotics, and certain medications for HIV

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Target Blood Sugar Levels For People With Diabetes

People with diabetes have difficulty creating or using enough insulin, which is the hormone that helps convert glucose into energy. Although there is no universal blood sugar chart for everyone with diabetes, clinical organizations like the ADA and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists offer guidelines on target blood sugar levels as a starting point.

Healthcare providers typically tailor normal blood sugar target ranges to an individual diabetes care plan. This includes considering your:

• Age

Lets Crunch Some Numbers

Ill give these numbers to you in a written, chart, and visual format because it will make sense to you depending how you read it.

Depending where you live in the world, numbers can vary slightly. And your numbers will either be mg/dl or mmol/l. Youll find the numbers for both of these readings below.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

Fasting glucose 70-99 mg/dl or 4-6 mmol/l

2 hours post meal glucose Less than 140 mg/dl or less than 7.8 mmol/l

Pre-diabetes diagnostic ranges also called impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance

Fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dl or 6.1-6.9 mmol/l

2 hours post meal glucose level 140-199 mg/ dl or 7.8-11 mmol/l

Type 2 Diabetes diagnostic ranges

Fasting glucose More than 126 mg/dl or more than 7.0 mmol/l

2 hours glucose level More than 200 mg/dl or more than 11.1 mmol/l

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Are Low Blood Sugar Levels Dangerous

Yes, low blood sugar symptoms can cause problems such as hunger, nervousness, perspiration, dizziness and even confusion if untreated, low blood sugar may result in unconsciousness, seizures, coma, or death. Low blood sugar levels begin at 70 mg/dL or less. People with diabetes who take too much medication or take their usual amount but then eat less or exercise more than usual can develop hypoglycemia. Although much rarer, hypoglycemia may develop in some people without diabetes when they take someone elses medication, have excessive alcohol consumption, develop severe hepatitis, or develop a rare tumor of the pancreas . The treatment for hypoglycemia is oral glucose intake (15. 0 grams of sugar, for example, 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, corn syrup, or IV fluids containing glucose. Recheck your blood sugar levels in about 15 minutes after treatment is advised.

What Are Normal Levels Of Blood Sugar

Normal levels of blood sugar for non-diabetics range from 70-130 mg throughout the day. They are at their lowest in the morning and before meals, and at their highest about an hour after meals.

Its normal to have a blood sugar level of 130 or higher an hour after meals. Obviously, your blood sugar levels will decrease gradually as your last meal gets further and further in the rearview mirror.

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Controlling Blood Glucose Levels

Uncontrolled blood sugar can result in regular episodes of hyperglycemia . This can cause a variety of symptoms including:

• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Fatigue

These symptoms are uncomfortable to experience but there are things you can do at home to reduce your blood sugar. In terms of drinks, water is the best as it will help to maintain hydration and dilute excess sugar in the blood. Also, try to add more fiber to your diet to reduce your blood sugar apples, bananas, oranges, and strawberries are all fibrous fruits.

However, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can also lead to more severe, long term disease. Poorly managed diabetes leads to vision loss, kidney problems, nerve damage, heart attack, and stroke. Therefore, if your blood sugar level reaches 16.7mmol/L, this could be dangerous and you need to seek immediate medical attention.

How Can I Treat Low Blood Sugar

If youve had low blood sugar without feeling or noticing symptoms , you may need to check your blood sugar more often to see if its low and treat it. Driving with low blood sugar can be dangerous, so be sure to check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel.

Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you. If you feel shaky, sweaty, or very hungry or have other symptoms, check your blood sugar. Even if you dont have symptoms but think you may have low blood sugar, check it. If your blood sugar is lower than 70 mg/dL, do one of the following immediately:

• Take four glucose tablets.
• Drink four ounces of fruit juice.
• Drink four ounces of regular soda, not diet soda.
• Eat four pieces of hard candy.

Wait for 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again. Do one of the above treatments again until your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL or above and eat a snack if your next meal is an hour or more away. If you have problems with low blood sugar, ask your doctor if your treatment plan needs to be changed.

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What Should I Do If My Glucose Levels Are Too High

You should establish a treatment plan with your doctor. You may be able to manage your glucose levels through diet and other lifestyle changes, like weight loss. Exercise can also help lower your glucose levels.

Medications may be added to your treatment if needed. Most people with type 2 diabetes will start on metformin as their first medication. There are many different types of diabetes medications that act in different ways.

Injecting insulin is one way to quickly reduce your glucose levels. Your doctor may prescribe insulin if you need help managing your glucose levels. Your doctor will determine your dosage and go over with you how to inject it, and when.

Let your doctor know if your glucose levels are consistently high. This could mean you need to take regular medication or make other changes to your diabetes treatment plan. Working with your doctor to get your glucose levels under control is important. Consistently high levels can lead to serious complications, like diabetic neuropathy or kidney failure.

What Is Normal Blood Sugar

Normal blood sugar or blood glucose levels are between 80 and 130 mg/dL. That number is an average of what is normal for individuals with diabetes. When blood sugar levels are too high, the person may experience hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can be characterized by extreme thirst and urination, blurred vision, or shakiness, sweating, dizziness, or confusion. When the person has low blood glucose, they may experience hypoglycemia which can be characterized by sweating, dizziness, or confusion.

The range of normal blood glucose levels for people with diabetes is between 80-130 milligrams per deciliter . A persons individual level will depend on many factors including how old they are, their ethnicity, their weight and height, and the activity theyve performed recently.

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What Affects Your Results

If you have certain conditions, like anemia or gout, or if it’s hot or humid or you’re at a high altitude, that can affect your blood sugar levels.

If you keep seeing unusual results, recalibrate your meter and check the test strips.

The chart below gives you an idea of where your blood sugar level should be throughout the day. Your ideal blood sugar range may be different from another person’s and will change throughout the day.

When Should I Test My Blood Sugar

You may need to check your blood sugar several times a day, such as before meals or exercise, at bedtime, before driving, and when you think your blood sugar levels are low.

Everyone is different, so ask your doctor when and how often you should check your blood sugar. If you’re sick, you’ll probably need to test your blood sugar more often.

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Who Is Most At Risk For Developing Diabetes

The following categories of people are considered “high-risk” candidates for developing diabetes:

• Individuals who are overweight or obese
• Individuals who are 45 years of age or older
• Individuals with first-degree relatives with diabetes
• Individuals who are African-American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asia American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders,
• Women who developed diabetes while they were pregnant or gave birth to large babies
• Individuals with high blood pressure
• Individuals with high-density lipoprotein below 25 mg/dl or triglyceride levels at or above 250 mg/dl
• Individuals who have impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance
• Individuals who are physically inactive engaging in exercise less than three times a week
• Individuals who have polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS
• Individuals who have acanthosis nigricans — dark, thick and velvety skin around your neck or armpits

In addition to testing the above individuals at high risk, the American Diabetes Association also recommends screening all individuals age 45 and older.

What Is Altai Balance

This proprietary blend helps your body maintain an optimal balance of natural sugar levels. In addition to this, it also contains 19 high-quality antioxidants and detoxifying nutrients. Clinical studies have shown that this formula is highly effective with no side effects. Read on to learn more about this product. The following information will help you choose the best Altai Balance for you. We have listed some of the key ingredients below.

Altai Balance is an excellent option if you have high blood sugar levels. This supplement is made from all-natural ingredients that are safe for your body. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C, zinc, manganese, and magnesium, all of which are important for diabetics. Some of the ingredients in Altai can cause a mild headache. The company also offers a money-back guarantee if you arent satisfied with the product.

One bottle of Altai Balance costs about $34 to $49, and you can buy it online only from the official website. If you want to save money, you can purchase cases of the product for $30. The pills contain a full days supply of the supplement. For diabetics with irregular blood sugar levels, Altai Balance is an excellent choice. The manufacturer has carefully selected the ingredients for this product. They all claim to help you balance your blood sugar levels. Moreover, youll have more energy, a stronger heart, and a healthier brain.

Thanks for reading The Best Ways to Improve Blood Sugar Levels article. I hope it help!

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How Often Should I Be Checking My Blood Glucose Levels

Checking your blood glucose levels and keeping a record of the levels is an important part of taking care of your type 1 diabetes. This allows you to identify the patterns of high or low blood glucose levels. The information will also help you and your doctor or diabetes team to balance food, exercise and insulin doses.

Ideally you should aim to do at least four blood glucose levels checks a day, although some people do many more. To get the most out of monitoring, your healthcare team may advise you to check your blood glucose levels before and then two to three hours after food. Its also a good idea to monitor before, during and after exercise.

If your blood glucose level is high, like when youre feeling unwell, you should also monitor for ketones. You can do this using a blood glucose meter that also measures for ketones or by checking your urine. Ketones in the blood or urine can also indicate that your insulin levels are too low. If this is the case, youll need to take additional insulin as a matter of urgency so your body can use glucose for energy rather than fat.

Get Enough Quality Sleep To Improve Blood Sugar Levels

The importance of getting enough quality sleep cannot be overstated. Research shows that inadequate sleep can negatively affect blood sugar levels. Getting a good nights sleep is just as essential to our health as proper nutrition and physical activity. Moreover, sleep is essential for our bodies to repair themselves, which is why sleep is so crucial. The amount of sleep we get has a direct impact on our hormones, circadian rhythm, and glucose levels.

The lack of sleep can affect our bodys glucose levels. When glucose is uncontrolled, we experience symptoms like fatigue and lethargy. A proper nights sleep is essential for the bodys recovery and proper functioning. Therefore, it is imperative to get enough quality sleep to ensure your body can handle the demands of your daily life. In addition, it can help improve your overall health. In general, it is recommended that you aim for an average of seven hours of sleep per night.

If youre not getting enough sleep, it can lead to increased blood sugar levels. This may be linked to poor sleeping patterns, particularly among people with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. However, sleep disorders can also be caused by low blood sugar, which is known as nocturnal hypoglycemia. It can lead to insomnia and other problems. If youre suffering from a chronic blood sugar problem, getting more restful sleep is a must.

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High Blood Sugar Symptoms

Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia happens when the body doesnt have enough insulin or when it cant use insulin correctly. Many things can cause high blood glucose levels like Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, stress, illness, or the dawn phenomenon. If you have hyperglycemia or suspect you may have it, talking with a healthcare provider is always a good idea. A doctor can help you determine whats causing your high blood sugar levels and lower it to a healthy range.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that may indicate hyperglycemia:

• Fatigue

• Vision loss

You should seek immediate medical attention if your blood sugar reaches 400 mg/dL or higher.

When patients experience any of these accompanied by elevated blood sugar levels, diabetic patients are advised to go directly to the ER to avoid diabetes-induced coma, says Vikram Tarugu, MD, a gastroenterologist and the CEO of Detox of South Florida. Patients who have elevated blood sugar may also present with frothy, ketone-like smelling breath.

Here are some lifestyle changes and medical treatments that can help treat hyperglycemia: