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Proper Glucose Levels

Whether you are 20, middle-aged or a senior, proper glucose levels will help protect you from the onset of diabetes or help you manage the disease. Diabetes is a chronic illness, which is afflicting more than 23 million people (as of September 2009) in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. Additionally, more than 5.7 million are unaware they have the disease. Awareness is essential because proper glucose levels for normal people are different from levels for the diabetic.

  1. Definition

    • Glucose is the product of food. Food breaks down into sugars or glucose in your intestine. It then travels in your blood throughout your body. The pancreas makes and releases insulin to help the glucose, or sugar, enter your body's cells, where it is stored for energy. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin, so they must take insulin every day to stabilize glucose levels. Type 2 diabetics do not use insulin properly, so they must either control their glucose levels with diet and exercise, and/or take medication.

    Range

    • Normal blood sugar ranges are 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter. However, the diabetic's target range is broader because variables affect blood sugars, such as age, medication, illness, diet and exercise. Your doctor will set a range that is appropriate for you. Most diabetic target ranges are greater than normal blood sugar ranges. The American Diabetes Association suggests target ranges before meals to be 70 to 130 mg/dl. For some diabetics, 70 mg/dl may cause dizziness. Your doctor may suggest a target range of 90 to 130 mg/dl.

    A1C

    • The A1C test is a monitoring test health care providers require for diabetics and for those who may be considered diabetic. The test gives a three-month average of blood sugar levels. The lab technician draws blood after the patient has fasted for 12 to 14 hours. The A1C is measured in percentiles. A normal A1C is between 4 and 6 percentile. The target level for diabetics is below 7 percent, or 154 mg/dl or less, according to the American Diabetes Association.

    Fasting Tests

    • If your doctor suspects that your blood or glucose levels are abnormal, he or she may prescribe one of two fasting tests: the fasting plasma glucose test (FPGT) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The FPGT and OGTT measure the body's metabolism after a night without food and only water. A proper glucose level with the FPGT is under 100 mg/dl. The lab technician draws blood to check the levels. The OGTT requires drinking a sugary liquid after fasting. A proper glucose level is under 140 mg/dl after consumption of the liquid.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Whether your doctor has diagnosed you as having proper glucose levels, pre-diabetes levels, or diabetes, you can prevent or improve your glucose levels. A diet with controlled amounts of carbohydrates, lean meats and low-fat choices will help maintain proper glucose levels. Daily exercise is essential, too. Physicians recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. According to the American Diabetes Association, a diabetic prevention study showed that "a 5 to10 percent reduction in body weight produced a 58 percent reduction in diabetes."

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