Search Knowledgebase

Diabetes: Blood Sugar Levels

Topic Overview

Keeping your blood sugar in a target range reduces your risk of problems such as diabetic eye disease (retinopathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), and nerve disease (neuropathy).

The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) suggests the following A1c and blood glucose ranges as a general guide. Children, people who have severe complications from diabetes, and people who have trouble recognizing the symptoms of low blood sugar may need a different target range. Work with your doctor to set your own target blood sugar range. This will help you achieve the best control possible without having a high risk of hypoglycemia.

  • Adults (non-pregnant) 1
    • A1c: 7.0% or less
    • Blood glucose:
      • Fasting and before meals: 4.0 to 7.0 millimoles per litre (mmol/L)
      • 2 hours after meals: 5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L or 5.0 to 8.0 mmol/L if A1c targets are not being met
  • Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who become pregnant or women with gestational diabetes 2
    • A1c: 6.0% or less
    • Blood glucose:
      • Fasting and before meals: 3.8 to 5.2 mmol/L
      • 1 hour after meals: 5.5 to 7.7 mmol/L
      • 2 hours after meals: 5.0 to 6.6 mmol/L
  • Teens and young adults (13 to 18 years old) with type 1 diabetes 3
    • A1c: 7.0% or less
    • Blood glucose:
      • Fasting and before meals: 4.0 to 7.0 mmol/L
      • 2 hours after meals: 5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L
  • School-age children (6 to 12 years old) with type 1 diabetes 3
    • A1c: Less than 8.0%
    • Blood glucose:
      • Fasting and before meals: 4.0 to 10.0 mmol/L
  • Toddlers and preschoolers (under 6 years old) with type 1 diabetes 3
    • A1c: Less than 8.5%
    • Blood glucose:
      • Fasting and before meals: 6.0 to 12.0 mmol/L
  • Children and teens with type 2 diabetes 4
    • A1c: 7.0% or less

References

Citations

  1. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (2008). Targets for glycemic control. 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 32(Suppl 1): S29–S31. Also available online: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/2008CPG/08%20TARGETS%20FOR%20GLYCEMIC%20CONTROL-S29-S31.pdf.
  2. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (2008). Diabetes and pregnancy. 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 32(Suppl 1): S168–S180. Also available online: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/2008CPG/36%20DIABETES%20AND%20PREGNANCY-S168-S180.pdf.
  3. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (2008). Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents. 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 32(Suppl 1): S150–S161. Available online: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/2008CPG/34%20TYPE%201%20DIABETES%20IN%20CHILDREN%20AND%20ADOLESCENTS-S150-S161.pdf.
  4. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (2008). Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 32(Suppl 1): S162–S167. Available online: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/2008CPG/35%20TYPE%202%20DIABETES%20IN%20CHILDREN%20AND%20ADOLESCENTS-S162-S167.pdf.

Other Works Consulted

  • Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (2008). Hyperglycemic emergencies in adults. 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 32(Suppl 1): S65–S70. Also available online: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/2008CPG/15%20HYPERGLYCEMIC%20EMERGENCIES%20IN%20ADULTS-S65-S70.pdf.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Primary Medical Reviewer Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen LaFranchi, MD - Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology
Last Revised September 27, 2012

Last Revised: September 27, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine & Stephen LaFranchi, MD - Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2013 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.