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Understanding Your Blood Sugar Numbers: Fasting Glucose, A1C and Post-Meal Levels

Know your numbers.

Quick answer

The three most common blood sugar measures are fasting glucose, A1C and post-meal (or oral glucose tolerance) glucose. For fasting glucose, under 100 mg/dL is considered normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes and 126 mg/dL or higher on two tests indicates diabetes. For A1C, which reflects average blood sugar over about three months, below 5.7% is normal, 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes and 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. A two-hour oral glucose tolerance test result under 140 mg/dL is normal, 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates prediabetes and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes. Only a doctor can diagnose prediabetes or diabetes, and lifestyle changes can make a big difference when numbers are rising.

Key takeaways

Lab reports can be confusing. Here is what the most common blood sugar numbers mean.

Blood sugar ranges

TestNormalPrediabetesDiabetes
Fasting glucoseUnder 100 mg/dL100–125 mg/dL126+ mg/dL
A1CBelow 5.7%5.7–6.4%6.5%+
2-hour glucose toleranceUnder 140 mg/dL140–199 mg/dL200+ mg/dL

What each test means

Fasting glucose

Your blood sugar after at least 8 hours without food.

A1C

The percentage of red blood cells coated with sugar, reflecting your average over about three months.

Glucose tolerance test

How your body handles a sugary drink over two hours.

If your numbers are rising

Gluco Extend is designed to support healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range, alongside healthy habits. It is not a treatment for prediabetes or diabetes.

Important: these ranges are for general education. Only your doctor can interpret your results and diagnose prediabetes or diabetes. Never change diabetes medication without medical advice.

Sources

  1. American Diabetes Association – "Understanding A1C" and "Diagnosis."
  2. CDC – "Diabetes tests."
  3. NIDDK – "Diabetes tests and diagnosis."

Common questions

What is a normal fasting blood sugar?

Under 100 mg/dL.

What A1C level is prediabetes?

5.7% to 6.4%.

Can a supplement treat prediabetes?

No, supplements support healthy levels; diagnosis and treatment come from your doctor.

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