Deciphering Blood Sugar Levels: What You Need to Know

Russell

Consider your body a fine-tuned instrument and your blood sugar levels orchestrating the symphony of your health. Amid this, glucose management is a melody you need to learn to play. But understanding it is a prerequisite of learning how to do it. We’re here to help you with just that!

What are Blood Sugar Levels?

Blood sugar means exactly what it seems, the proportion of sugar in your blood. While appropriate sugar levels for each person may differ slightly, the fluctuations in your blood sugar levels determine how well or poorly you’re dealing with diabetes, prediabetes, or the complications related to them. Depending on what you eat, your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day. However, the impact of this is more visible in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes.

What is a Normal Blood Sugar Level?

A normal blood sugar level is when there is a balance of glucose in your body. It is neither too high nor too low and is just enough to support energy production, brain function, and overall health without causing harm to your organs or tissues. 

When a person without diabetes has a (fasting) blood glucose result between 70 and 99 mg/dL, it is considered normal. 

What is a High Blood Sugar Level?

When your body has excessive glucose circulating inside it, it may fall under the category of high blood sugar level (Hyperglycemia).

A (fasting) blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dL could mean that you have prediabetes and are 50% likely to develop Type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years.

Additionally if your (fasting) blood sugar level is 126 mg/dl or higher, it means you have diabetes. 

What may be the causes of a High Blood Sugar Level?

As a diabetic person, the following may have caused your blood sugar level to go high:

• Consuming too much carbs 
• Being sick
• Being stressed
• Skipping your insulin or other diabetes meds
• Physical inactivity

What are the risks of a High Blood Sugar Level?

You’re prone to developing hyperglycemia if you’re:

• Not adhering to your diabetic diet
• Being inactive or lazy
• Wrongly injecting insulin or using an expired one
• Not taking enough insulin
• Injured or have had surgery
• Under stress
• Taking medicine like steroids

What is a Low Blood Sugar Level?

When your blood sugar level comes below a normal range, it may be categorised as low (Hypoglycemia). Sometimes, it happens in response to excessive insulin in the blood triggered by skipping meals, medication, or physical activity.

A blood sugar result that is 70 mg/dL or lower falls under low blood sugar level. It is usually found in Type 1 diabetes patients of Type 2 diabetes patients who are on medication.

What may be the causes of a Low Blood Sugar Level?

As a diabetic person, the following may have caused your blood sugar level to go low:

• Missing a snack or a meal
• Over-exercising
• Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
• Having a long gap after an insulin injection
• Taking a meal with a lot of simple sugar
• Not eating on time

What are the risks of a Low Blood Sugar Level?

You’re prone to developing hypoglycemia if you’re:

• Having a fluctuating schedule
• At a high altitude
• On your periods
• Experiencing a hot climate
• Experiencing puberty

Why do I need to test my blood sugar levels?

As a diabetic person who is on medication, checking your blood sugar levels becomes a part of your lifestyle. It can convey a lot of things to you, like when you need more medication or if you need to eat more or get more active. 

When you’re regular with your check-ups, you understand your body better and hence, will be able to manage your condition better. Moreover, you can bat off so many diabetes complications just by adhering to regular checkups and working on them thereafter. Sometimes, complications can get as serious as affecting your feet or eyes as a result of too much sugar. 

Remember, nobody can help you better than yourself. Get up, get working, and get that sugar in range! TatvaCare is your friend when it comes to managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Our patient-centric product MyTatva is your personal assitant to help you measure, monitor, and keep you blood sugar levels in check. Download and register on the MyTatva app, and get access to accredited lab tests, doctor consultations, vitals-monitoring tools, personalised diet and coaching advise and more. For a free consultation on our diabetes remission programmes, click here.You can also watch this space for informational content on diabetes and general health. For more information on our services call us at +91 99740 42363 or mail at support@tatvacare.in.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Devina Aswal

MBBS, DDM, FCR, CIC