Blood Sugar Basics: What Your Numbers Mean and Why They Matter

Blood sugar, otherwise known as glucose, is found in carbohydrates such as fruit, bread, and beans, and it is responsible for giving your brain and body energy. The liver also creates and circulates blood sugar.

The pancreas is primarily responsible for regulating blood sugar by making glucagon and insulin, hormones that increase and decrease blood sugar levels, respectively. If someone has diabetes, their pancreas is functioning improperly, which causes irregular blood sugar levels.

So what is a normal blood sugar? How can you distinguish blood glucose ranges? Find out here. 

What Blood Glucose Ranges Look Like for Typical, Prediabetic, and Diabetic

Typical blood sugar ranges from 70 to 99 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). A person can still have levels as low as 60 mg/dL and can be considered healthy - it ultimately depends on each unique case.

Prediabetic blood sugar is the next level up from typical. Prediabetes numbers range from 100 to 125 mg/dL. With a guided treatment plan from a provider, you may be able to get your blood sugar back to a healthy level without diabetes medication at this point.

Anything higher than 125 md/dL is considered diabetes (both Type I and Type II). People with Type I can have blood sugar levels up to 200 mg/dL or higher. The provider will provide specific treatment options and other lifestyle changes to accommodate which type of diabetes the patient has. 

Lifestyle Factors That Cause Blood Sugar to Rise and Fall

It's normal for blood sugar to rise and fall throughout the day, even for those whose levels are in the typical range. However, frequent and drastic highs and lows in blood sugar can be a sign of diabetes. Knowing what causes these spikes and drops may help you make lifestyle choices to avoid them and better manage your blood sugar. 

Factors That Cause Blood Sugar to Rise

• Skipping prescription insulin dosages
• Medication side effects
• Eating a meal or heavy snack that's high in carbohydrates
• Little to no physical activity
• Illness 
• Mental or physical stress
• Menstruation 
• Dehydration

Factors That Cause Blood Sugar to Fall

• An insulin dose that is too high
• Medication side effects 
• Not eating enough or eating snacks/meals with little carbohydrates 
• More physical activity than usual
• Drinking alcohol, especially if you haven't eaten much that day

When to Talk to a Provider about Your Blood Sugar Levels

If you notice frequent highs and lows in your blood sugar or are experiencing the symptoms associated with it, call your primary care doctor. They may be able to diagnose you with diabetes if your test results indicate it. However, your primary care doctor may refer you to Schneck Endocrinology, which can provide a more thorough diagnosis and treatment plan.

If you already know and manage your diabetes or prediabetes numbers and are still experiencing frequent fluctuations in your blood sugar, meeting with an endocrinologist will give you the opportunity to make changes to your current plan. 

What to expect from an Endocrinology Visit

At your first endocrinology appointment, a provider will ask you a series of questions about your medical history and current concerns. They will also ask you about any medication you are taking. It's important that they have this information, as it will help determine the next stage in your care if needed. 

Then, if the endocrinologist thinks you may have diabetes, they will order tests to check your blood sugar and/or ketone levels (acids found in your urine when your body breaks down muscle or fat for energy instead of glucose). These are common options for testing: 

• Capillary blood glucose test: Pricking the patient's finger with a tiny needle to obtain a small drop of blood, which is then tested immediately with a test strip and glucose meter. 
• The venous blood glucose test: Collecting blood from a vein in the patient's arm with a needle, then sending it to a lab for testing.
• Ketone urine test: Testing urine in a cup with a test strip and waiting for it to change colors, revealing the level of ketones exiting the patient's body in their urine. 

If the test results show abnormal blood sugar or ketone levels, your doctor will set out a plan for healthy management and possible treatment. It's important to note that there is no judgement at Schneck Endocrinology. Whatever your test results reveal, we are here to address your concerns and support your journey.