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Summary
What is blood glucose?
Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the main sugar found in your blood. It is your body's primary source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. Your body breaks down most of that food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood glucose goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to be used for energy.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose levels are too high. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, can't use it as well as it should, or both. Too much glucose stays in your blood and doesn't reach your cells. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious health problems (diabetes complications). So if you have diabetes, it's important to keep your blood glucose levels within your target range.What are blood glucose targets?
If you have diabetes, your blood glucose target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. The typical targets are:
- Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL
- Two hours after the start of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL
Your blood glucose targets may be different, depending on your age, any additional health problems you have, and other factors. Talk with your health care team about the best target range for you.
When and how should I check my blood glucose?
If you have diabetes, you'll likely need to check your blood glucose every day to make sure that your blood glucose numbers are in your target range. Some people may need to check their blood glucose several times a day. Ask your health care team how often you need to check it.
The most common way to check your blood glucose level at home is with a blood glucose meter. A blood glucose meter measures the amount of glucose in a small sample of blood, usually from your fingertip.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is another way to check your glucose levels. Most CGM systems use a tiny sensor that is inserted under your skin. The sensor measures your glucose level every few minutes. It can show changes in your glucose level throughout the day and night. A CGM system is especially useful for people who take insulin and have problems with low blood glucose.
Your provider will also check your blood glucose with a blood test called an A1C. It checks your average blood glucose level over the past three months. People with diabetes usually have an A1C test at least twice a year. But you may need the test more often if you aren't meeting your diabetes treatment goals.
What happens if my blood glucose level becomes too high?
High blood glucose is called hyperglycemia. Symptoms that your blood glucose levels may be too high include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Feeling tired or weak
- Headaches
- Urinating (peeing) often
- Blurred vision
If you often have high blood glucose levels or symptoms of high blood glucose, talk with your health care team. You may need a change in your diabetes meal plan, physical activity plan, or diabetes medicines.
High blood glucose may also be caused by other conditions that can affect insulin or glucose levels in your blood. These conditions include problems with your pancreas or adrenal glands.
What happens if my blood glucose level becomes low for me?
Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose, happens when your blood glucose level drops below what is healthy for you. For many people with diabetes, this means a blood glucose reading lower than 70 mg/dL. Your number might be different, so check with your health care team to find out what blood glucose level is low for you.
Symptoms of low blood glucose tend to come on quickly. The symptoms can be different for everyone, but they may include:
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Irritability or confusion
- Dizziness
- Hunger
Low blood glucose levels can be common in people with type 1 diabetes and people with type 2 diabetes who take certain diabetes medicines. If you think you may have low blood glucose, check your level, even if you don't have symptoms. Low blood glucose can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
Although it's rare, you can still get low blood glucose without having diabetes. The causes can include conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, and hormone deficiencies (lack of certain hormones). Some medicines, such as certain heart medicines and antibiotics, can also cause it. See your provider to find out the cause of your low blood glucose and how to treat it.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Diagnosis and Tests
- A1C: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- At-Home Medical Tests (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Blood Glucose Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
- Fasting for a Blood Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Living With
- A1C and eAG (American Diabetes Association)
- Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices (Food and Drug Administration)
- Manage Blood Sugar (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Monitoring blood glucose - Series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Understanding A1C (American Diabetes Association)
Specifics
- Diabetes and Exercise: When to Monitor Your Blood Sugar (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
Genetics
- Donohue syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
- Maturity-onset diabetes of the young: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
- Type A insulin resistance syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
Test Your Knowledge
- Managing Type 2 Diabetes Quiz (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Blood Glucose (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
- American Diabetes Association
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- NIDDK Information Clearinghouses and Health Information Center (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Search Diabetes Educator Directory (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists)
Children
- Blood Test: Glucose (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- How to Manage Blood Sugars with Type 1 Diabetes (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Keeping Track of Your Child's Blood Sugar (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Making Fingersticks and Insulin Shots Easier for Kids With Diabetes (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Blood Glucose Record (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation)
- Keeping Track of Your Child's Blood Sugar (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Women
- Your Glucose Meter (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- A1C test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Blood sugar test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Estimated average glucose (eAG) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Glucose screening tests during pregnancy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Glycemic index and diabetes (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Home blood sugar testing (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Managing your blood sugar (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish