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What Are Normal Readings on a Glucometer?

A glucometer allows people with elevated blood sugar to check their glucose levels on a regular basis. Normal readings vary depending on whether the patient has eaten recently.

  1. Definition

    • A glucometer determines the body’s current level of blood sugar (glucose). A patient places a drop of blood in the device to get a numerical reading, according to the American Diabetes Association.

    Fasting and Postprandial Readings

    • Diabetics or those at risk for diabetes routinely test their blood sugar before meals (the fasting reading) and two hours after a meal (the postprandial reading), according to the All About Diabetes website.

    Numbers

    • Normal blood sugar registers 3.3 to 6.1 millimoles per deciliter (mmol/dL) when fasting and under 11.1 mmol/dL postprandial.

    Establishing a Baseline

    • The fasting reading establishes the baseline level for the body’s blood sugar. The postprandial reading demonstrates how significantly food intake impacts blood sugar.

    Frequency

    • People with Type 1 diabetes should check their glucose levels at least three times a day, while pregnant women with elevated blood sugar should test themselves twice a day. Type 2 diabetics have no strict guidelines for testing but should check their glucose regularly.

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