Glucose (a form of sugar) comes from the carbohydrate portion of foods you eat and is carried in the blood to all the cells of the body. Glucose is the body’s main source of fuel for energy. If blood sugar levels get too high, however, they can cause health problems including diabetes, heart disease, infections, and even increased risk for certain cancers. It’s important to your health to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Blood sugar standards
| Normal |
70-99 mg/dL |
Low risk |
| High normal |
90-99 mg/dL |
|
| Prediabetes |
100-125 mg/dL |
Increased risk |
| Diabetes |
126 mg/dL or higher |
High risk |
| Normal |
Less than 140 mg/dL |
Low risk |
| Prediabetes |
140-199 mg/dL |
Increased risk |
| Diabetes |
200 mg/dL |
High risk |
When your level of blood sugar is too high (126 mg/dL or higher when fasting) you have diabetes. High blood sugar can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, frequent urination, increased thirst, unintended weight loss, slow healing sores, and feelings of hunger and tiredness. But people have been diagnosed with diabetes when they have had NONE of the symptoms. Treatment for diabetes may include lifestyle behavior changes such as improved nutritional habits, increased physical exercise, weight loss and a weight management plan, medications taken by mouth, or insulin injections.
What is prediabetes?
Before someone becomes diabetic, they almost always have prediabetes – a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that 54 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. Left untreated, most people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in 10 years or less.
Who should have their blood sugar levels checked?
Everyone over the age of 40 should have their blood sugar level checked regularly; sooner if you are at high risk for diabetes or are experiencing symptoms mentioned above. If you don’t know your blood sugar level, ask your doctor to check it.
How to keep blood sugar levels low
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose excess weight (even 10-15 pounds helps greatly).
- Get 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise daily such as brisk walking, biking, running, or active sports.
- Limit your intake of sweets and refined carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index (e.g., soft drinks, white bread, white rice, French fries, chips, and pastry) and eat more high-fiber, low glycemic index foods.
- If needed, take medicines that your doctor has recommended.
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