Guide to Normal Blood Sugar Levels By Age

Understanding Blood Sugar Levels

What are blood sugar levels and why are they important?

Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, refer to the concentration of glucose present in the blood. Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as the primary source of energy for the body’s cells. Maintaining the right balance of blood sugar is crucial for the body’s overall function and health.

Blood sugar levels are important because they play a key role in how your body performs daily. Consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and nerve damage. On the other hand, low blood sugar levels can cause symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and fainting. Therefore, maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is essential for both immediate energy needs and long-term health.

How are blood sugar levels measured and what do they indicate?

Blood sugar levels are typically measured using a blood glucose meter, a device that can quickly provide a reading from a small drop of blood, usually taken from a fingertip. There are also continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that can measure glucose levels throughout the day without the need for repeated finger pricks.

The measurements are usually given in milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or millimoles of glucose per litre of blood (mmol/L), depending on the country. Here are the common ranges in non-pregnant individuals :

• Normal Levels: For a person without diabetes, fasting blood sugar levels should be between 70 and 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L). After meals, levels should be less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L).
• Prediabetes: Fasting blood sugar levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) suggest impaired fasting glucose. Impaired glucose tolerance is when the glucose varies from 140 to 199 mg/ dl ( from 7.8 to 11 mmol/ L) after 2 hours in the oral glucose tolerance test.
• Diabetes: A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes or a random level above 200 mg/ dl ( 11.1 mmol/L) with hyperglycemia symptoms.

These measurements help indicate whether your body is managing blood sugar effectively. High readings can suggest that your body isn’t producing enough insulin or that your cells are resistant to insulin’s effects, which are characteristic of diabetes. Low readings can indicate hypoglycemia, which can be caused by excessive insulin or other factors.

By monitoring blood sugar levels, individuals and healthcare providers can make informed decisions about diet, medication, and lifestyle to manage or prevent diabetes and its associated complications.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels Across Different Age Groups

What are the normal blood sugar ranges for children with Diabetes?

For children, normal blood sugar levels can vary slightly based on age and the time of day. Children typically have more fluctuating blood sugar levels due to their varying growth patterns, physical activity levels, and hormonal changes. Proper blood sugar management is crucial in children to ensure healthy development and prevent complications.

• Fasting (before meals): 70-99 mg/dL (3.9-5.5 mmol/L)Description: Fasting levels are taken after the child has not eaten for at least 8 hours, usually in the morning before breakfast. These levels indicate how well the body manages glucose overnight.
• Before meals: 90-130 mg/dL (5.0-7.2 mmol/L)Description: Pre-meal levels help determine how the body handles glucose throughout the day. These readings ensure that blood sugar levels remain stable between meals.
• 1-2 hours after meals: Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)Description: Post-meal levels are measured to see how the body processes glucose from food. Keeping these levels below 140 mg/dL indicates that the body efficiently manages the glucose surge from meals.
• Bedtime: 90-150 mg/dL (5.0-8.2 mmol/L)Description: Bedtime levels are crucial for ensuring that the child has a safe blood sugar range through the night. These levels help prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Before During physical activity and exercise:  126 -180 mg/ gl (7.0 -10 mmol/ L) but the target must be individualized depending on the type and duration of physical activity.

Maintaining these levels helps children avoid the immediate dangers of hypo- or hyperglycemia and supports long-term health by reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications. Regular monitoring, a balanced diet, and appropriate physical activity are essential in managing these blood sugar levels effectively.

How do blood sugar levels change with age?

As people age, the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels can change due to various physiological and lifestyle factors. Here are the general trends observed across different age groups:

• Children and Adolescents: Blood sugar levels can be more variable due to growth and hormonal changes. During puberty, hormonal fluctuations can impact insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, leading to more significant variations in blood sugar levels. Additionally, increased physical activity and dietary habits can contribute to these fluctuations.
• Adults: Blood sugar levels tend to stabilize, with typical fasting and post-meal ranges being more consistent. Adults often have more established routines regarding diet, exercise, and sleep, which can contribute to more stable blood sugar levels. However, lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of physical activity, and poor dietary choices can still impact blood sugar management.
• Older Adults: Blood sugar levels may rise, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. Factors such as decreased insulin production, increased insulin resistance, and the presence of other health conditions (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease) contribute to higher blood sugar levels in older adults. Additionally, age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and decreased physical activity can impact glucose metabolism. To prevent hypoglycemia, target blood sugar ranges might be slightly higher for older adults, as they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of low blood sugar levels.

Overall, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and routine medical check-ups, is crucial at every age to manage blood sugar levels effectively and reduce the risk of diabetes and its associated complications.

Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Levels

What is hyperglycemia and how does it affect blood sugar levels?

Hyperglycemia refers to high blood sugar levels, typically defined as a blood glucose level above 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). It occurs when the body has too little insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly, leading to an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream.

Causes of Hyperglycemia:

• Insufficient Insulin Production: The pancreas does not produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
• Insulin Resistance: The body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, preventing glucose from entering the cells and being used for energy.
• Dietary Factors: Consuming too many carbohydrates or sugary foods can cause blood sugar spikes.
• Lack of Physical Activity: Exercise helps muscles use glucose, so a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to higher blood sugar levels.
• Lack of Sleep: insufficient sleep can alter the cortisol axis leading to more appetite and hyperglycemia.
• Illness or Stress: Physical or emotional stress can cause the body to release hormones(such as adrenaline )that raise blood sugar levels.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as steroids, can increase blood sugar levels immediately or during the days after use.

Symptoms of Hyperglycemia:

• Increased Thirst: The body attempts to remove excess glucose through urine, leading to dehydration and increased thirst.
• Frequent Urination: High blood sugar causes the kidneys to work harder to filter and excrete glucose, resulting in frequent urination.
• Fatigue: Cells are deprived of glucose needed for energy, leading to feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
• Blurred Vision: High blood sugar levels can cause the lenses of the eyes to swell, resulting in blurred vision.
• Headaches: Dehydration and changes in blood sugar levels can cause headaches.
• Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting: hyperglycemia leads to ketone production. An excess of ketones causes nausea, vomiting and generalized abdominal pain.

Long-Term Complications:

• Heart Disease: Prolonged hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Nerve Damage: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, leading to neuropathy and symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain, especially in the hands and feet.
• Kidney Failure: Damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys can impair their ability to filter waste from the blood, potentially leading to kidney failure.
• Vision Problems: Chronic high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to conditions like diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss or blindness.

Managing hyperglycemia involves lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and medication or insulin therapy as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly is essential to prevent and manage hyperglycemia and its associated complications.

What is hypoglycemia and what are its symptoms?

Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels, typically defined as a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). It can occur if there’s too much insulin, too little food intake, or excessive physical activity. Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, confusion, dizziness, hunger, irritability, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures. Immediate treatment usually involves consuming fast-acting carbohydrates like glucose tablets or juice.

How can diet and carbohydrates impact blood sugar levels?

Diet and carbohydrate intake have a significant impact on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which raises blood sugar. The type, amount, and timing of carbohydrate consumption all play roles in blood sugar management:

• Simple Carbohydrates: Found in sugary foods and drinks, they are quickly absorbed, causing rapid spikes in blood sugar.
• Complex Carbohydrates: Found in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, they are digested more slowly, leading to more gradual increases in blood sugar.
• Glycemic Index: Foods with a high glycemic index raise blood sugar quickly, while those with a low glycemic index have a slower effect.

Balancing carbohydrate intake with proteins, fats, and fibre can help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Monitoring and Maintaining Blood Sugar Levels

How often should blood sugar levels be monitored?

The frequency of blood sugar monitoring using a finger prick depends on individual health conditions and treatment plans.

• People with Type 1 Diabetes: Typically check blood sugar 4-10 times per day
• People with Type 2 Diabetes on Insulin: Usually check 1-4 times per day.
• People with Type 2 Diabetes who are not on Insulin: May check less frequently, depending on their treatment plan and control level.

With the Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) providing real-time data and trends, the glucose can be monitored every 5 minutes.

What is the target  Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C|) level for diabetes management?

The A1C test measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. The target A1C level for most adults with diabetes to avoid diabetes complications is below 7%, which correlates with an average blood sugar level of around 154 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L). However, individual targets may vary based on age, health conditions, and risk of hypoglycemia.

What medical advice is available for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels?

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medical management:

• Diet: Follow a balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. Limit simple sugars and refined carbs.
• Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Sleeping: Having a routine for sleeping time and sleep duration between 7 to 9
• Medication: Take medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Monitoring: Regularly check blood sugar levels to understand how different foods, activities, and medications might affect your glucose
• Consultation: Regularly visit healthcare providers to adjust your management plan as needed.

Personalized advice from healthcare providers is crucial to effectively managing and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Why GluCare is Different?

At GluCare, we offer a unique approach to diabetes management that sets us apart from traditional care models. Our focus on continuous monitoring, personalized care, and advanced technology ensures our patients receive the best possible support in managing their condition.

Our CGM Offering: GluCare provides Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices to our patients, allowing for real-time tracking of blood glucose levels. These devices provide detailed insights into how blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day and night, enabling more precise and timely interventions. Our patients benefit from reduced finger-prick tests and can make more informed decisions about their diet, activity, and medication.

Latest A1c levels: Our data-driven approach has yielded impressive results. On average, our patients experience a significant reduction in their HbA1c levels. Our recent research shows that patients using our hybrid care model see a decrease in HbA1c by up to 2.1%, indicating better overall glucose control and a reduced risk of diabetes-related complications.

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References: – Zakaria, H., Said, Y., Aleabova, S., Bangayan, J., Dandan, M., Debs, J., … & Almarzooqi, I. (2024). Measuring the effectiveness of hybrid diabetes care over 90 days through continuous data monitoring in type 2 diabetic patients. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, 1355792.