Different Blood Sugar Levels For 5 Common Groups Of People
By Catherine M, Staff Editor
Last Updated on March 6th, 2023 / Published on February 27, 2018
Blood sugar levels charts show glucose or sugar levels in the blood. Blood sugar charts indicate the normal and unusual blood sugar levels. Most blood sugar range charts show different blood sugar levels for non-diabetic and diabetic persons. The charts usually have three types of reading for blood sugar levels: fasting sugar, postprandial sugar, and A1C readings.
- Fasting sugar: Fasting sugar or fasting plasma glucose in blood sugar levels charts indicate the levels of glucose in the blood after 8 hours of fasting. This is usually measured early in the morning before breakfast.
- Postprandial sugar: Postprandial plasma glucose levels in blood sugar level range charts indicate the levels of glucose in the blood after one or two hours of a meal. It measures the spikes in sugar levels after eating.
- A1C levels: These are usually indicated in percentages. Blood sugar A1C charts indicate whether the management of fasting sugar and postprandial sugar levels in a person has better or worse. A1C levels in blood sugar levels charts indicate the how well fasting sugar and postprandial sugar levels have been managed over the previous two-three months.
The blood sugar levels chart readings for each of the above parameters will differ depending on the following factors:
- The life expectancy and age of the person
- Other preexisting health conditions of the person
- Whether the person has diabetes
- For how long a person had diabetes
- Whether a person had any cardiovascular diseases
- Whether the person has any health problems related to the kidneys, brain, eyes, heart, or the blood vessels
- The person’s lifestyle and personal habits
- Whether the person has extreme stress or any other pre-existing illnesses
Due to the above factors, the readings of blood glucose levels chart will be different for different persons. Here are the different blood sugar levels for different categories. All measurements are in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Blood sugar levels chart for non-diabetics
Non-diabetics have low blood sugar levels. The fasting sugar levels for people without diabetes is below 100 mg/dL. The postprandial glucose level should be less 140 mg/dL. The A1C levels of blood sugar levels chart should be Between 4% and 5.7 % for a person without diabetes. People with prediabetes and diabetes are usually recommended to bring their blood sugar levels as close to the normal ranges as possible.
Blood sugar levels chart for prediabetics
Also known as borderline diabetes, prediabetes indicates that a person might have type 2 diabetes at a later stage if their blood sugar levels are not brought under control. For a prediabetic person, A1C levels are between 5.7% and 6.4%. The fasting glucose levels are between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL. This is also known as impaired fasting glucose. In the case of prediabetics, the postprandial sugar levels are between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL.
Blood sugar levels chart for diabetics
A person with diabetes has a fasting glucose level above 125 mg/dL. Only two consecutive tests that indicate fasting glucose levels above 125 mg/dL can ascertain whether or not a person has diabetes. The postprandial blood sugar levels for diabetics are higher than 200 mg/dL. A1C levels for diabetics are usually above 7% due to poor control of glucose in the body.
Blood sugar levels charts for children and teenagers
Depending on age, the blood sugar levels of children and teenagers will change. For children who are five years old or younger, normal blood sugar levels should be between 100 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL. Fasting sugar levels should be close to 100 mg/dL and postprandial sugar levels should be close to 200 mg/dL.
For children between the ages of 5 years and 11 years, normal blood sugar levels should be between 70 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL. The postprandial sugar levels should be close to 150 mg/dL while fasting sugar level should be near to 70 mg/dL.
For children who are 12 years or older, the blood sugar levels are nearly as same as adults. The fasting sugar levels should be around 70 mg/dL – 100 mg/dL. Postprandial sugar levels should be around 140 mg/dL – 150 mg/dL.
Blood sugar levels charts for pregnant women
Pregnant women can be susceptible to gestational diabetes. It usually occurs when the blood glucose levels are not managed well during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The normal fasting sugar levels of the blood sugar levels chart for pregnant women is between 69 mg/dL and 75 mg/dL. Postprandial sugar levels should be between 105 mg/dL and 108 mg/dL. A fasting glucose level higher than 95 mg/dL may indicate gestational diabetes. In this case, the postprandial sugar level will be above 140 mg/dL.