What are normal bg levels?

Manny Q · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 06:24 PM

What are normal bg levels for someone with diabetes and what are considered “in control” and what numbers are too high?
The numbers I am asking about are the ones that come off the bg reader he has, the one that has the sticks.
Thanks again,
Paul

duck · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 06:31 PM

You, as a "healthy" person, probably average about 70 mg/dL (the numbers the meter will use here in the US), though there is some emerging debate about that. It used to be that "normal" for "diabetics" was 100-120 mg/dL, but now it is a little lower at 90-120 mg/dL. Two hours after a meal, most "authorities" on the topic will say you should be less than 140 mg/dL, and four hours after back to "normal". There is another emerging school of thought that diabetics can achieve tight control and keep their average, hour-to-hour blood sugar at about 80 mg/dL with adjustments to diet, meds, etc. But that's another debate for another time.

Manny Q · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 06:34 PM

Thanks for the reply, If a diabetic is often 160-220 after a meal, does that seem high?
Thanks again,

JediSkipdogg · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 06:34 PM

I couldn't have said it any better myself. And duck brought up a key point, it is a topic of debate. Everyone you will talk to may give slightly different numbers.

Cinnabon · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 06:48 PM

Thats a bit high in my opinion, but thats just me. I tend to stay 100-115.

duck · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manny Q

Thanks for the reply, If a diabetic is often 160-220 after a meal, does that seem high?
Thanks again,

How long after a meal? Greater than two hours, yeah, most authorities would say that is high at 160, unacceptable at 220.

grace girl · #7 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 12:59 PM

It's amazing the different answers you get to this question! Just last month I got two completely different target ranges...one from my endo and one from the DE. And they work together!
Is it really possible for someone on MDI to achieve consistant bs in the 80's? I thought that sort of control was only an option for pumpers!

duck · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace girl

It's amazing the different answers you get to this question! Just last month I got two completely different target ranges...one from my endo and one from the DE. And they work together!
Is it really possible for someone on MDI to achieve consistant bs in the 80's? I thought that sort of control was only an option for pumpers!

Dr. Bernstein, who I will maintain is anti-pump, says it is very possible to maintain a constant blood sugar of 80 as either a Type 1 or Type 2 through diet modification and other regimens. I don't have his book in front of me, but his listed A1c was remarkable, I think 4-something (if I am wrong, the Bernstein-crowd don't flame me, it's not like I hate the man). And yes, he says it can be done on MDI. There's at least one member here who stopped using a pump and went back to MDI with great success using Bernstein's methods.

grace girl · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 02:18 PM

Does Dr. Bernstien have diabetes??????

lgvincent · #10 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 02:25 PM

I try to keep it between 80 and 150. Any lower than 80 and I tend to go into an insulin reaction. Actually, it seems if I get below 100 I'll go into insulin shock at some point. I don't like having it above 140 but a short time ago, I was around 148 and dropped to 48 an hour or so later, so I let it slide up to 150 and aren't too worried about it.

DeusXM · #11 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Is it really possible for someone on MDI to achieve consistant bs in the 80's? I thought that sort of control was only an option for pumpers!

It's not possible for ANYONE to consistantly have a BG in that region. Even people without diabetes experience a rise in BG after eating.

4519 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace girl

Does Dr. Bernstien have diabetes??????

He is type 1 since he was 12.

Leesa · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 05:57 PM

I'm a type 2 and over the past few months my numbers have been running in the 70s and 80s. The only time I see anything higher is after breakfast (my difficult time of day) when I may go as high as 105. I don't think I'm spiking too terribly high without knowing it or I wouldn't get back to the numbers mentioned above at 1 or 2 hours PP.

I'm on Metformin and various supplements.

Leesa

duck · #14 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeusXM

It's not possible for ANYONE to consistantly have a BG in that region. Even people without diabetes experience a rise in BG after eating.

True. I mis-spoke a bit. I hope I wasn't terribly misleading (wasn't trying to be).

HelenM · #15 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Is it really possible for someone on MDI to achieve consistant bs in the 80's?

My last weeks recorded average is 81 there is nothing above 111, and most readings are in the 70's and 80's. but I have also had levels in the 50's : quickly corrected but still hypos.
At the moment I'm running 25- 30 miles a week and eating lots of carbs but probably using too much insulin to cover them.
I have a fear of higher BS (probably slightly irrrationally but I'm happier with 'normal' BS) so am debating with myself whether I should to take less insulin and get an overall rise in BS or put up with the hypos which at the moment don't seem to cause a significant problem.
(Sorry, I've responded to Grace but its a bit off the original topic)