Blood Sugar Targets
Just how important is it to keep your blood sugar close to your target? According to one study, people with Type 1 diabetes can reduce the risk of the complications associated with diabetes - including the ones leading to blindness, kidney failure and amputation - by as much as 76 percent by lowering blood sugar to normal or near-normal levels. Other studies have shown reductions in complications of up to 25-70 percent for Type 2 patients.
Blood sugar targets vary from person to person and can even vary in the same person over time. You and your doctor should work together to determine what your target blood sugar range should be. Many doctors use guidelines developed by the American Diabetes Association as a starting point.
Blood glucose meters read either plasma values or whole blood values. Check the user manual that came with your meter to find out whether it reads plasma or whole blood, and then refer to the appropriate row in the chart below.
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ADA Recommended Target Blood Sugar Levels
(source: American Diabetes Association) |
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Normal |
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Target Range for People with Diabetes |
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| Plasma blood values * |
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| Average pre-meal glucose (mg/dL) |
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Less than 100 |
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90-130 |
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| Average post-meal glucose (mg/dL) |
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Less than 110 |
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Less than 180 |
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* Measurement of capillary blood glucose
The table shows that people with diabetes should keep their blood glucose levels within a target range. Your doctor can determine a target that's appropriate for your individual health condition and lifestyle by considering such specifics as:
- Your willingness to test your blood sugar levels frequently.
- Your willingness to follow your treatment plan.
- Your risk for severe hypoglycemia and your ability to recognize its symptoms.
- Your age.
- Other health conditions you might have, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or pregnancy.
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