Blood Glucose Levels

Posted: Nov. 1, 2004

Blood glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and is the body's main source of energy.

How food affects your blood glucose
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, what, when, and how much you eat all affect your blood glucose.

If you have diabetes (or impaired glucose tolerance), your blood glucose can go too high if you eat too much. If your blood glucose goes too high, you can get sick.

Your blood glucose can also go too high or drop too low if you don't take the right amount of diabetes medicine.

If your blood glucose stays high too much of the time, you can get heart, eye, foot, kidney and other problems. You can also have problems if your blood glucose gets too low (hypoglycemia).

Keeping your blood glucose at a healthy level will prevent or slow down diabetes problems. Ask your doctor or diabetes educator what a healthy blood glucose level is for you.

How can I keep my blood glucose at a healthy level?

• Eat about the same amount of food each day.
• Eat your meals and snacks at about the same times each day.
• Do not skip meals or snacks.
• Take your medicines at the same times each day.
• Exercise at about the same times each day.

What should my blood glucose levels be?
For most people, target blood glucose levels are:

Before meals 90 to 130
1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal less than 180

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood glucose. The results from your blood glucose checks will tell you if your diabetes care plan is working.

Also ask your doctor for an A1C test at least twice a year. Your A1C number gives your average blood glucose for the past three months.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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