Blood Sugar 101: How to Read Your Numbers Like a Pro

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Understanding blood sugar is the first step to preventing and managing diabetes — a condition affecting over 500 million people worldwide. Numbers matter, but knowing what they mean matters more. 🍬

Blood sugar numbers guide

The key numbers

Test Healthy Prediabetes Diabetes
Fasting glucose Below 5.6 mmol/L 5.6–6.9 mmol/L 7.0 mmol/L+
HbA1c (3-month average) Below 5.7% 5.7–6.4% 6.5%+
Random glucose Below 7.8 mmol/L — 11.1 mmol/L+

What is HbA1c? 🧪

HbA1c reflects your average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months. It is the best overall picture of how well your blood sugar is controlled. For most people with diabetes, the target is 7% or lower.

Daily glucose targets (with diabetes)

  • Fasting / before meals: 4.0–7.0 mmol/L
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10.0 mmol/L

Lifestyle levers that work 🏃

Lever Impact
Losing 5–7% body weight Can prevent progression from prediabetes
Brisk walking 30 min/day Improves insulin sensitivity
Fibre-rich meals Slows glucose absorption
Adequate sleep Poor sleep worsens insulin resistance

Warning signs 🚨

Excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision and slow-healing wounds can all signal high blood sugar. See a doctor promptly.

Knowledge is power. A simple blood test can tell you where you stand. Ask our endocrinology team on Health Voice.

Laboratory testing explained

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