Blood glucose target range | Diabetes Australia (2024)

  • Connecting with community
  • Diabetes resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Training for health practitioners
  • For family and carers
  • For kids and teens
    • Diabetes at school
    • DiaBuddies
  • Diabetes resources
    • Diabetes fact sheets
    • Multicultural resources
    • Diabetes in pregnancy multicultural resources
    • Diabetes resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
    • Recipes
    • Type 2 diabetes risk calculator
    • Safe disposal of sharps
    • Diabetes support groups
    • Useful websites
    • About the NDSS
  • Get involved

    Read More

    Blood glucose target range | Diabetes Australia (1)

    • Education and events
      • COVID-19 safety measures
    • Membership
      • Membership benefits
      • Become a member
      • Diabetes Connect
      • Renew your membership
    • Advocacy
      • Position statements
      • Publications
        • Circle magazine
        • Diabetes Management Journal
        • International publications
        • Reports
      • Submissions
      • Speak out. Spark change.
    • Make a donation
      • Donate today
      • Give monthly
      • Give in memory
      • Support our campaign
      • Ways to give
      • How your donations help
    • Leave a gift in your Will
    • Major gifts and philanthropy
    • Fundraise for us
    • Corporate partnerships
      • Workplace giving
    • Kellion Victory Medal
  • Research

    Read More

    Blood glucose target range | Diabetes Australia (2)

    • Diabetes Australia Research Program
    • Current research projects
      • DiRECT-Aus and type 2 diabetes remission
      • Current research opportunities
    • Strategic research partners
    • Research organisations
    • Help us find a cure for diabetes
  • For health professionals

    Read More

    Blood glucose target range | Diabetes Australia (3)

    • Best practice guidelines
      • Absolute cardiovascular risk
      • Programs for health professionals
      • Programs for your clients
    • Health professional resources
    • NDSS Access Points
  • News

    Read More

    Blood glucose target range | Diabetes Australia (4)

    • News
    • Blog
    • Media releases
      • Media centre
    • Campaigns
      • Unite in the fight for tech
      • World Diabetes Day
      • Speak out. Spark change.
      • National Diabetes Week
      • Unite in the fight for change
      • 100 years of Insulin
      • 4400 Reasons to End Amputations
      • The 4Ts
  • Home > Living with diabetes > Blood glucose monitoring > Blood glucose level range

    What’s the target range for my BGLs?

    What is a normal blood glucose level?

    For a person without  diabetes, throughout the day blood glucose levels (BGLs) will generally range between 4.0 – 7.8 millimoles of glucose per litre of blood (mmols/L) regardless of how they eat or exercise, or what stress they’re under.  

    What should my BGL be?

    When you’re living with diabetes your body cannot, or finds it hard to, keep your BGLs within a healthy range.  

    Because each person living with diabetes is different, your GP or specialist will set target BGLs that are right for you. However, here is some information you can use as a general guide. The information below is a general guide for target blood glucose levels before meals and after eating.  

    Glucose level targets

    Type 1 diabetes
    Target Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs) Before meals: 4.0 to 7.0mmol/L
    2 hours after starting meals: 5.0 to 10.0mmol/L
    Type 2 diabetes
    Target Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs)Before meals: 4.0 to 7.0mmol/L
    (Preprandial blood glucose)
    2 hours after starting meals: 5.0 to 10mmol/L
    (Postprandial blood glucose)

    Find out more about Time in Range: What is Time in Range?

    What happens when my BGLs are outside of these ranges?

    An important part of blood glucose monitoring is to identify hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.  

    Find out more about hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis. 

    Inconsistent blood glucose levels

    Sometimes you may get readings above or below your target range and you may not be able to figure out the reason. When you are sick with a virus or flu, your blood glucose levels will nearly always go up and you may need to contact your doctor. There are a number of other common causes for blood glucose levels to increase or decrease.

    These include:

    • Food – time eaten, type and amount of carbohydrate for example: bread, pasta, cereals, vegetables, fruit and milk
    • Exercise or physical activity
    • Illness and pain
    • Diabetes medication
    • Alcohol
    • Emotional stress
    • Other medications
    • Blood glucose checking techniques.

    Contact your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator if you notice that your blood glucose patterns change or are consistently out of your target range – above or below.

    HbA1c – the big picture on blood glucose

    Your GP or specialist may request you to have a HbA1c (or glycated haemoglobin) blood test. This blood test provides an average measure of your blood glucose over the previous two to three months.  

    HbA1c is an important complement to self–monitoring at home (finger prick checks). Understanding your HbA1c levels can help you and your health care team make more informed decisions about your diabetes management. Some medications, treatments and inherited blood conditions can affect HbA1c results. Your doctor should be aware of your medical history to ensure an accurate HbA1c. 

    Your doctor will recommend a HbA1c target based on your life stage and particular circumstances. Usually this will be around 7% (53 mmol/mol), although this can vary depending on your personal circumstances. 

    More information

    Hypos and Hyperglycaemia

    What happens when your blood glucose levels are too high or too low, and what’s the best treatment?

    Learn more

    Blood glucose monitoring

    Blood glucose monitoring can help you to keep your blood glucose levels in your recommendedtarget range.

    Learn more

    Blood glucose monitoring Hypoglycaemia (hypo) and Hyperglycaemia

    What state or territory do you live in?

    What state or territory do you live in?

    I live in Victoria I live in another state or territory

    Blood glucose target range | Diabetes Australia (2024)

    References

    Top Articles
    Xsjhg009
    Servant Leadership: Wie funktioniert Führung im agilen Kontext?
    Servant Leadership – Führung als unterstützendes Prinzip
    Latest Posts
    Voici le Business Model Canvas pour votre startup
    Voici le Business Model Canvas pour votre entreprise de terrassement
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Tuan Roob DDS

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6145

    Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

    Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Tuan Roob DDS

    Birthday: 1999-11-20

    Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

    Phone: +9617721773649

    Job: Marketing Producer

    Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

    Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.