Blood Glucose Targets

Meter Target:The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends certain glucose targets which are based on research about preventing complications.

Q Do you know what the target blood glucose level is before meals?
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The American Diabetes Association recommends the following targets to prevent complications:

  • Before meals: 70 - 130 mg/dl
  • 2 hrs after the first bite of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dl

However, the American Diabetes Association's goals may not be easy to reach or may not be right for you. For example, people that have other medical conditions or those who are unaware that they are having a low (hypoglycemia) may be set different targets.

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The American Diabetes Association recommends the following targets to prevent complications:

  • Before meals: 70 - 130 mg/dl
  • 2 hrs after the first bite of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dl

However, the American Diabetes Association's goals may not be easy to reach or may not be right for you. For example, people that have other medical conditions or those who are unaware that they are having a low (hypoglycemia) may be set different targets.

Lab Test Targets (A1C)

Another way to measure blood glucose control is with an A1C test. An A1C test is a test that measures a patient's blood glucose levels over 3 months.

A reasonable goal for most people with diabetes is an A1C of less than 7%.The risk of complications increases as A1C goes up.

Usually your health care provider should give you an A1C test at your regular appointments. Early on, you may get a test every 3 months. The American Diabetes Association recommends a test at least every 6 months.

Estimated Average Glucose (eAG).

eAG is a new way to report A1C results using the same units as your blood glucose meter. The table below shows how the averages from your blood glucose meter (eAG) turn into estimates of A1C.

Keep in mind this is only an estimate and you need to test regularly both before and after meals and when you wake up to get a reasonably accurate estimate.

  • A1c (%)
    eAG (mg/dl)
  • 5
    97
  • 6
    126
  • 7
    154
  • 8
    183
  • 9
    212
  • 10
    240
  • 11
    269
  • 12
    298

This information was reproduced from the "Complete Guide to Diabetes" with the permission of the American Diabetes Association.

It is a comprehensive book and recommended by the American Diabetes Association for those people that want to learn more about diabetes.

Click on the image to go to the American Diabetes Association bookstore.

Note: Care4life has no commercial interest in any of the books or resources it recommends.