Understanding blood glucose level ranges can be a key part of diabetes self-management. This page states 'normal' blood sugar ranges and blood sugar ranges for adults and children with , type 2 diabetes and blood sugar ranges to determine people with diabetes. If a person with diabetes has a meter, and is testing, it's important to know what the blood glucose level means. Recommended blood glucose levels have a degree of interpretation for every individual and you should discuss this with your healthcare team. In addition, women may be set target blood sugar levels during pregnancy. The following ranges are guidelines provided by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) but each individual’s target range should be agreed by their doctor or diabetic consultant. Recommended target blood glucose level ranges The NICE recommended target blood glucose levels are stated below for adults with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and children with type 1 diabetes. In addition, theInternational Diabetes Federation's target ranges for people without diabetes is stated. The table provides general guidance. An individual target set by your healthcare team is the one you should aim for. Blood sugar levels in diagnosing diabetes Random plasma glucose test A blood sample for a random plasma glucose test can be taken at any time. This doesn’t require as much planning and is therefore used in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when time is of the essence. Fasting plasma glucose test A fasting plasma glucose test is taken after at least eight hours of fasting and is therefore usually taken in the morning. The NICE guidelines regard a fasting plasma glucose result of 5.5 mmol/l as putting someone at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly when accompanied by other risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) An oral glucose tolerance test involves taking a first taking a fasting sample of blood and then taking a very sweet drinkcontaining 75g of glucose. After having this drink you need to stay at rest until a further blood sample is taken after 2 hours. HbA1c test for diabetes diagnosis An test does not directly measure the level of blood glucose, however, the result of the test is influenced by how high or low your blood glucose levels have tended to be over a period of 2 to 3 months. Indications of diabetes or prediabetes are given under the following conditions: Normal: Below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%) Prediabetes: 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%) Diabetes: 48 mmol/mol (6.5% or over)
