When it comes to blood sugar levels, not one range applies to all age groups. Gone are those days when a particular blood sugar range was considered normal for all age groups. Various factors are considered to evaluate your blood sugar level, and you need to know what is right for your body.
Factors that affect your blood sugar level
When you eat food, the complex macronutrients are broken down into their respective units (carbohydrates to glucose, fats to triglycerides, and protein to amino acids) in a process called digestion. The glucose in the circulating blood is measured to read your blood sugar level. Several factors contribute to this level, and the blood sugar normal level chart revolves around these:
- Type of carbohydrates: Simple sugars like refined rice, sugar, maida, and sugars found in fruits contribute to an immediate spike in the blood sugar level. Complex carbohydrates like brown rice, ragi and multi-grains that break down slowly may take time to show on a blood test.
- The time between a meal and the blood test: Your blood sugar level may be high if you take a blood sugar test within two hours after eating a meal.
- Age: Age plays an important factor in identifying what a normal blood sugar level is.
- Health history: For someone with diabetes, the normal blood sugar level is slightly higher than their healthy counterpart.
Considering all these factors, doctors have designed normal blood sugar level chart for adults in different age groups.
Normal blood sugar level
As discussed earlier, the blood sugar normal level chart is designed separately for all age groups considering body type and metabolism.
- Normal blood sugar level chart for children
Fasting: 80-180 mg/dl
Before meal: 100-180 mg/dl
Two hours post-meal: Around 180 mg/dl
Bedtime: 110-200 mg/dl
- Normal blood sugar level chart for adolescents
Fasting: 70-150 mg/dl
Before meal: 90-130 mg/dl
Two hours post-meal: 130-140 mg/dl
Bedtime: 90-150 mg/dl
- Normal blood sugar level chart for adults
Fasting: 80-120 mg/dl
Before meal: 90-120 mg/dl
Two hours post-meal: 130-140 mg/dl
Bedtime: 90-120 mg/dl
Although this was the standard blood sugar level normal chart, different situations and phases of life have varying effects on your blood sugar level. For instance, during times of stress, you are bound to have a higher-than-average blood sugar level. In times of fear, fight and flight, you can easily find your blood sugar level dropping.
If you are someone with diabetes, your normal levels can be around 130-150 mg/dl fasting and before a meal, and around 170 mg/dl post-meal. While these ranges are considered normal, you must keep your blood sugar level under check through regular doctor consultations and medicines. Read more about normal sugar level after food
What is a high blood sugar level?
You are said to have a high blood sugar level when your blood test reveals a range higher than that mentioned in the normal blood sugar level chart for adults. If you experience diabetes-related symptoms and your doctor finds your fasting blood sugar level to be higher than 130 mg/dl, they would prescribe you to have your Hb1ac level checked. The Hb1ac test measures the amount of glucose attached to haemoglobin over a period of three months. If your Hb1ac level exceeds 6.4%, you may likely have diabetes.
Other factors contributing to high blood glucose levels are stress, depression, a heavy meal, etc. The science behind this is your stress hormones begin making more glucose to meet the demand of your body and mind to elevate your mood.
What is low blood glucose?
There are many situations that lower your blood glucose level. Some of them are:
- Post a strenuous workout session, your muscles tend to consume the most glucose in your blood.
- In situations of fear or fright, your cells require more glucose for functioning than usual.
- Your cells become tired as you age, which may affect your blood sugar level.
- Certain medications, especially those for depression, anxiety, cold and fever, cause your immunity to work a little extra and consume more glucose.
- Co-morbidities like kidney problems, nervous system-related ailments, etc.
Apart from these, one of the common reasons for low blood glucose levels is the overconsumption of diabetes medication. There are many instances where people take diabetes medicines more than required. This leads to a low glucose level in just a few minutes. If left unattended, it may even lead to a coma. So, you must take complete support from your doctor while taking diabetes medication.
How to regulate your blood sugar level?
Regulating your blood sugar and maintaining a normal level is crucial to stay healthy. Either too high or too low blood glucose levels will strain your cells and lead to ageing and organ damage.
Suppose you have a higher-than-normal blood sugar level. In that case, your doctor will recommend you follow a healthy diet low on refined carbohydrates and oil, engage in physical activity and lead a healthy lifestyle. Apart from these, you will be asked to take medicines to secrete enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar level.
If you have a lower-than-normal blood glucose level, your doctor may immediately administer glucose intravenously to restore your normal sugar level.
Every person has different ‘normal’ when it comes to blood sugar levels. It is important to monitor your blood sugar level regularly to lead a healthy lifestyle. The normal blood sugar level chart for adults is meticulously designed considering all the above factors. If you need professional guidance, get one at the earliest. Understand more about cause of diabetes and it’s managements
