A normal or average fasting blood glucose range for a healthy individual is 70 -100 mg/dl, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fasting is defined as not having eaten for 8 hours prior to testing. Normal blood glucose levels can fluctuate based several factors including which testing method is used.
Carbohydrates, which include starches, sugars and fiber ultimately wind up as glucose in the blood. Glucose is a primary source of energy for most cells in the body. A blood glucose test uses a blood sample to measure the number of milligrams-mg of glucose in a deciliter-dl of blood.
Diabetes and Blood Glucose Testing
Blood sugar monitors are typically used to identify pre-diabetes and diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that effects how the body converts sugar to energy. A fasting blood glucose level of at least 126 mg/dl on two separate days may indicate diabetes.
People with diabetes should aim to keep blood sugar levels at 90 mg/dl - 130mg/dl during the day before eating and 110 mg/dl - 150 mg/dl prior to bedtime, advises the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Blood sugar below 70 mg/dl is considered low and may be a sign of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia
Various compact and large glucose testing kits are available to track blood sugar levels. Some devices use easy-to-read test strips while other kits note the time and date of each test to identify patterns and changes in blood sugar levels.
An arbitrary blood sugar test can be taken whenever you desire. A normal blood glucose range from arbitrary testing is in the low to mid 100s. An oral glucose tolerance test requires drinking a sugar-water combination. An average or normal blood glucose reading two hours after drinking the solution is under 140 mg/dl.
Fluctuations in "Normal" Blood Sugar Levels
Several factors can influence blood glucose test and cause levels to fall outside of the so-called average or normal range. Menstrual cycles, over-the-counter medications like aspirin and cold medications as well as alcohol consumption may all impact test results. Age, sex and race may also cause variations in mean readings, reports Amarillo Medical Specialists of Texas.
Dietary changes, exercise and/or medications may be necessary to treat blood glucose levels that consistently fall below or above normal levels. Talk to your health care provider if you seem to have abnormal blood glucose levels.
Sources:
Virginia Mason Medical Center,"What are Normal Blood Glucose Levels?" (Accessed January 5, 2011)
Amarillo Medical Specialists, "How to Interpret and Understand Your Blood Test Result" (Accessed January 5, 2011)
Mayo Clinic, "Diabetes" (Accessed January 5, 2011)
Medline Plus, "Low Blood Sugar" (Accessed January 5, 2011)
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, "Diabetes-Basic Facts" (Accessed January 5, 2011)
Karen Gaskell - Karen Jean Gaskell has worked as a radio and television journalist for more than three decades. During her career Karen has written and ...
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