Diabetes patients are given numbers to manage their glucose levels. What do these numbers actually mean to you? On the surface, this chart makes sense and seems clear cut. There is more to interpreting your glucose levels than checking it against a basic chart which can be misleading. Let’s step through the process by reviewing a few examples and learn to read between the lines.
A. Jane has a fasting glucose of 85 mg/dL, which is in normal range. Two hours after breakfast, her glucose increased to 135 mg/dL. Her post meal glucose is also within range, less than 140 mg/dL.
B. Bob has a fasting glucose of 105 mg/dL.
Two hours after breakfast, his glucose increased to 155 mg/dL. Both readings are slightly out of range.
C. Mike has a fasting glucose of 137 mg/dL. Two hours after breakfast his glucose is 157 mg/dL. Both readings are outside of normal range.
Meals have a direct correlation with glucose levels. Who appears to have consumed a better or more helpful breakfast? We don’t know if Jane, Bob or Mike is taking diabetes drugs or insulin, so there is always more to the story. For this example, we will keep it simple. Mike is doing a better job managing his breakfast. You may be thinking, “Denise, don’t be crazy! Jane must be managing the best, her fasting and post meal readings are within normal range.” There are several facets you want to review when verifying if you are heading toward diabetes, managing, or reversing diabetes. Using a single form of information is never really enough to make the best decision.
Jane and Bob have something in common. In both cases, after eating their meal their glucose increased by 50 points. Jane’s readings are in normal range, however, her glucose spike is a red flag that she may have a metabolic impairment possibly inching her towards diabetes. Bob most likely has had a metabolic impairment for quite some time. I would start looking at eating habits for both. Lifestyle changes can be very impactful.
Mike had the lowest glucose spike. His glucose increased only 20 points from 137 to 157; compared to Jane and Bob who ate food that increased their glucose by 50 points. Because Mike’s fasting glucose is high, it is evident Mike has diabetes and has had a metabolic impairment for quite some time. However, it appears that he may already be working on his lifestyle changes which is very impactful for reversing the effects of diabetes.
As you see, you can fall within the parameters of a chart, but it never tells the whole story. Don’t sell yourself short when it comes to your health. One chart, one test, one opinion may send you down a misleading path. Learning to properly interpret your results can make the difference between maintaining or reversing your diabetes.
This blood sugar chart shows normal blood glucose levels before and after meals and recommended HbA1c levels for people with and without diabetes.
| BLOOD SUGAR CHART | |
| Fasting | |
| Normal for person without diabetes | 70-99 mg/dl (3.9–5.5 mmol/L) |
| Official ADA recommendation for someone with diabetes | 80–130 mg/dl (4.4–7.2 mmol/L) |
| 2 hours after meals | |
| Normal for person without diabetes | Less than 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L) |
| Official ADA recommendation for someone with diabetes | Less than 180 mg/dl (10.0 mmol/L) |
| HbA1c | |
| Normal for person without diabetes | Less than 5.7% |
| Official ADA recommendation for someone with diabetes | Less than 7.0% |
Denise A. Pancyrz is a Diabetes Reversal and Holistic Lifestyle Coach, speaker, and best-selling author of The Virgin Diabetic, Reverse the Effects of Type 2 Diabetes, Reduce Medication, and Improve Your Glucose Levels, available on Amazon. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Denise was prescribed four daily insulin shots along with oral medication for diabetes and heart disease. This protocol helped to bring her glucose levels down, however, she did not feel as healthy and vibrant as expected. After changing her protocol by learning to rest and preserve her pancreas, she was able to eliminate all medication and insulin, regaining her energy.
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