Central Baptist Hospital : Blood Glucose Numbers

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Blood Glucose Numbers

Your blood glucose level
Your blood glucose level as determined during your screening test tells how your body handles food as the body is turning what you eat or drink into glucose (sugar) for fuel. The body begins to turn some juices or liquids into sugar within 15 minutes. The chart below will help you interpret your blood glucose level.

Time blood glucose (BG) is checked	Expected BG level for that time
Fasting (no food or drink for 8 - 12 hours)	Less than 100 mg/dl
BG two hours after a meal	Less than 140 mg/dl
Pre-diabetes/ glucose intolerance	Fasting BG between 100-125/Two hours after a meal, BG higher than 140, but less than 200
Diabetes may already be present	Fasting BG higher than 126; BG value over 200 no matter when you ate
If diabetes has already been diagnosed	Before meal, BG should be 80 -120 one to two hours; 180 one to tow hours after a meal; less than 140 two hours after a meal and at bedtime.

If your blood glucose today is not within the recommended guidelines, this does not necessarily mean you have diabetes. However, if your blood glucose levels are not within these guidelines, you should talk with your physician and have a follow-up check at his or her office. Regardless of your blood glucose today, it is important to know the most common signs of diabetes:

Passing urine often
More hunger but with weight loss
Irritability
Blurred vision
Skin infections
Slow healing of cuts or scratches
More thirst
Rapid weight loss
Weakness and tiredness
Numbness in hands and feet
Having vaginal infections often

The American Diabetes Association is a great resource. Visit www.diabetes.org for free tips and daily recipes, along with a wide variety of books and resources.

Have diabetes? Click here for more information about it.