What is the average sugar level in a person

This includes considering your:. If you do not have target guidelines from your healthcare provider yet, you can use the blood sugar level charts below. This will help you get started with testing at home with a blood glucose meter and will make it easier to understand target A1C levels.

Blood sugar targets during pregnancy are lower due to hormonal influences. In general, pregnant women with diabetes will want to follow individual guidelines provided by their endocrinologist.

To keep close tabs on levels, most diabetes specialists recommend that women with diabetes during pregnancy check their blood sugar:. If you have prediabetes or diabetes, you may have insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.

This means your body has difficulty regulating blood sugar levels on its own. What might cause your glucose or blood sugar to rise? Consider the following factors:. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:. If you have diabetes, keep your blood glucose meter and sources of fast-acting glucose like glucose tabs or fruit juice close by in case your blood sugar drops.

This is especially important for people with hypoglycemia unawareness, which is a condition that causes symptoms of low blood sugar to go unnoticed.

Eating balanced meals and snacks at regular times throughout the day is a big part of maintaining normal blood glucose levels. Check out our article on meal planning for diabetes to better understand the three macronutrients where calories come from and which have the biggest effect on blood sugar. To help you reach your target blood glucose goals, work with your healthcare provider to discuss modifications to your diet, physical activity, or medications, and alert them of other factors like a recent illness or stressful event.

In the short term, high blood sugar levels can zap your energy, cause excessive thirst and urination, and blur your vision. High blood sugar levels can also lead to dehydration, dry and itchy skin, and infections. Minimizing the time spent above your target blood sugar range can help you feel your best and will help prevent complications and injury to your body.

Over time, high blood sugar affects many parts of the body. Chronic high blood sugar can start to cause noticeable changes, including:. People with diabetes are often reluctant to talk about it, but nerve damage from high blood sugar can also affect sexual response and function for men and women. Checking your blood sugar frequently and taking immediate action when it is above range can reduce your risk of complications. High blood sugar is also referred to as hyperglycemia.

The numbers below represent values in the hyperglycemic range and require action to bring levels down to a normal range. When blood sugar levels are high, it can indicate that the body does not have enough insulin or glucose lowering medication. Levels may be elevated due to a large meal, if you have an illness or infection, are stressed, or are inactive.

If you are newly diagnosed, it may take a little time to get you below this range. Your healthcare provider may provide individualized instructions on when to contact the office. Testing for ketones is recommended for people with Type 1 diabetes and those with Type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy who are having vomiting and symptoms of severe illness. When blood sugar levels are this high, it could be a sign of ineffective glucose management, a problem with your insulin or insulin pump infusion set, illness, or another problem.

If your blood sugar levels are chronically higher than normal, then this is referred to as hyperglycaemia. This is a common issue for those suffering from diabetes. The condition can also affect pregnant women who have gestational diabetes and occasionally those who are severely ill i. If severe hyperglycaemia is left untreated the condition can lead to organ and tissue damage as the excess glucose present in the body can make it difficult for the organs and cells to function correctly.

The disorder can also impair the immune system response in the healing of wounds and cuts. Mild hyperglycaemia, depending on the cause, will not typically require medical treatment.

Most people with this condition can lower their blood sugar levels sufficiently through dietary and lifestyle changes. Those with type 1 diabetes will require the administration of insulin usually via injection , while those with type 2 diabetes will often use a combination of injectable and oral medications anti-diabetic medications , although some may also require insulin.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that someone with low blood sugar might experience:. If your blood sugar is low you might start to feel some of the first signs of hypoglycemia like dizziness, lightheadedness, or sweating. The only way to know for sure if your blood sugar is low is to test it with a glucose meter or other glucose monitoring device.

Here are some other lifestyle and medicinal treatments that can help treat hypoglycemia:. Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar. 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.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that may indicate hyperglycemia:. Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is where the body creates waste products called ketones that can build up in the blood and become life-threatening.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:. Here are some lifestyle changes and medical treatments that can help treat hyperglycemia:. Getting professional medical advice from a healthcare provider like an endocrinologist is the best way to learn more about whether your blood sugar levels are where they should be.