Keeping blood sugar levels within normal limits is very important. This is both the key to diabetes mellitus prevention for healthy people and the treatment for those who have been diagnosed with this disease. But how does one maintain normal blood sugar levels? Ano ang normal na blood sugar?
In this article we will answer the question “Ano ang normal na blood sugar?” and take a closer look at blood sugar, starting from normal values or limits, tests for blood sugar, and how to keep blood sugar levels normal.
Ano ang Normal na Blood Sugar? What Is Its Function in the Body?
Blood sugar is a simple sugar molecule, glucose, which is the main source of energy for every cell and tissue of the body.
Glucose is produced from the digestion of food that contains carbohydrates, such as rice, bread, potatoes, fruits, and snacks that contain sugar.
After carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, these sugar molecules flow into the blood to be processed into energy for body cells. However, the body’s cells cannot directly convert glucose into energy. It needs to enter the cells first for it to be used as an energy source. In this process, you need insulin.
Insulin is a hormone from the pancreas that helps the absorption of glucose by the body’s cells. This hormone is released when blood sugar rises. Its function is to keep blood sugar within a normal range, and not too high (hyperglycemia).
The presence of insulin disorders can make it difficult for the body to maintain normal blood sugar levels. If left unchecked, this can lead to diabetes.
Ano ang Normal na Blood Sugar?
The following is a range of normal blood sugar levels in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
- Fasting blood sugar (after not eating for 8 hours): 70-99 mg/dL
- One to two hours after eating: less than 140 mg/dL
- Current blood sugar: less than 200 mg/dL
- Blood sugar at bedtime: 100-140 mg/dL
Blood sugar levels above this range indicate prediabetes or diabetes.
Prediabetes is a condition when blood sugar is higher than normal, but not yet classified as diabetes.
A person can be said to have high blood sugar if the blood sugar is more than 200 mg/dL, or 11 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Meanwhile, a person is said to have low blood sugar if the level drops below 70 mg/dL.
Experiencing one of these conditions indicates that your blood glucose levels are no longer normal.
Blood sugar levels can fluctuate, depending on diet, daily physical activity, drug side effects, and other factors. In general, occasional changes in blood sugar are reasonable if the numbers do not change drastically in a short time.
Ano ang Normal na Blood Sugar Levels According to Age?
Normal blood sugar ranges in children and the elderly are generally no different from adults. However, children’s blood sugar levels tend to change easily when compared to adults. This is why children are more prone to have their blood sugar levels drop to very low levels (hypoglycemia).
Usually, children who are most susceptible to hypoglycemia are those who have type 1 diabetes.
Types of Blood Sugar Tests
You can find out what is the normal range of blood sugar levels in various situations through medical or independent examinations.
Ano ang normal na blood sugar? Here are some types of blood sugar tests to diagnose diabetes mellitus.
1. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)
Fasting blood sugar is a range of normal blood sugar levels before meals.
This test is also useful for checking whether you are at risk for prediabetes or diabetes.
Before taking a fasting blood sugar test, you are required to fast for 8 hours.
The following are the criteria for normal blood sugar levels from a fasting blood sugar test:
- Normal (no diabetes): below 100 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or more
2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) aims to diagnose diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance. This test also determines whether the body’s cells have difficulty utilizing glucose.
The doctor will ask you to fast for 8-12 hours. After that, you will drink 75 mL of sugar solution.
In this test, your doctor checks your blood sugar before and after drinking the sugar solution.
Ano ang normal na blood sugar? The following are the criteria for limiting normal blood sugar levels from TTGO results:
- Normal (no diabetes): below 140 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 140-199 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or more
3. Random Blood Sugar (RBS)
A blood sugar test, also known as RBS, can be done at any time of the day.
This test is useful for finding out the range of a person’s blood sugar levels for one day and is not based on a certain time range.
The following are criteria for normal sugar levels from the results shown by the GDS test:
- Normal (no diabetes): below 200 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or more
4. HbA1c
The HbA1c test is used to diagnose diabetes because HbA1c describes the average blood sugar level over the last three months.
The criteria for the HbA1c test results are as follows:
- Normal (no diabetes): less than 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5,7-6,4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or more
When Should You Check Your Blood Sugar?
People who have never been diagnosed with diabetes are advised to check their blood sugar according to the risk factors they have. If the results are normal, you can repeat the examination at least every three years.
Meanwhile, for those with diabetes, blood sugar checks are carried out periodically to find out whether their diabetes condition is under control.
Your doctor may suggest checking your blood sugar 1-3 months or HbA1c every 3-6 months.
You can also check your blood sugar independently using a portable blood sugar monitor or glucometer. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding how often and when to do this examination.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes, the best times to check blood sugar are in the morning, before eating, two hours after eating, and before bed. However, you can also check your blood sugar if you have symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Ano ang Normal na Blood Sugar? Causes of Changes in Blood Sugar Levels
Normal blood glucose levels can change over time, rising or falling from their normal limits.
Various things can trigger changes in glucose levels. The most common causes of high blood sugar include:
Meanwhile, the most common causes of low blood sugar are:
- Diabetic patients who routinely use drugs skipping meals
- Side effects of diabetes medication
- Insulin side effects
How To Keep Blood Sugar Levels Normal
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is the key to a healthy life for everyone.
Here are some things you can do to control blood sugar levels.
1. Exercise and be active
Exercise can increase the sensitivity of the body’s cells to insulin. With regular exercise, the body’s cells are able to absorb glucose better. In addition, exercise increases good cholesterol in the body and lowers triglycerides.
Both of these benefits can prevent obesity or being overweight, one of the risk factors for diabetes.
In addition to exercising, you can increase physical activity through daily activities.
Some of the simplest activities are cleaning the house, gardening, or choosing to walk while traveling if it is affordable enough.
2. Follow a healthy eating pattern
Food is very much related to blood sugar levels. A healthy diet will help keep blood sugar normal.
Choose food with complete and balanced nutrition. A balanced meal should contain protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
Limit or avoid foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat.
Excessive intake of sugar and fat can lead to obesity and inflammation, two factors that increase the risk of diabetes.
3. Manage stress
Health experts recommend that everyone who wants to keep their blood sugar levels normal should manage stress properly. This is because stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol can increase blood sugar.
Prolonged stress can drain energy so that you become less active. In addition, stress promotes inflammation in the body; both of which increase the risk of diabetes.
4. Routinely check blood sugar
Checking blood sugar is very important for those with diabetes. In addition to checking blood sugar levels regularly, keeping a record can be helpful. That way, you can monitor changes in blood sugar levels.
Now that you know the answer to the question “Ano ang normal na blood sugar?” beware of changes in blood sugar levels that are too drastic. Immediately consult a doctor in case of sudden changes. Remember, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is an effective way to prevent serious complications from diabetes.
Key Takeaways
Glucose is the main source of energy of our body. But at times, certain conditions affect the equilibrium of our blood sugar level. Some factors may raise the blood sugar level from the normal range—like having a diabetes mellitus, while some lowers it—such as when you take antidiabetic medications. Hence, it is important to learn what is normal blood sugar range, and what is not.
Learn more about Diabetes here.
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