What is a normal blood sugar level range by age?
The blood sugar level is something that influences the overall health of an individual, and based on many factors, such as your lifestyle, food habits, and other health issues you might have, your blood sugar level might vary. We change with age, and at each stage of our lives, there is an ideal level of blood sugar. Maintaining a blood sugar level appropriate for your age is a healthy practice. In this article, we are going to discuss the normal blood sugar levels of people based on their age and ways to manage and maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Blood sugar level
We know that blood sugar is the level of glucose present in the blood at a given time, and based on your age and overall health, the normal range of blood sugar levels changes. The carbohydrates we consume as part of our diet break down into glucose molecules during digestion and are later absorbed into the bloodstream.
Glucose is a critical energy source for human beings, and a higher level of glucose in our bloodstream triggers the release of a hormone called insulin from the pancreas, which assists in the distribution of glucose in our cells, where it is used as an energy source. The pancreas produces another hormone called glucagon. When the sugar level falls in the bloodstream, glucagon stimulates the release of stored glucose from the liver into the bloodstream and stabilizes the blood sugar level.
Diabetes is a disease that needs no introduction; people all over the world suffer from it. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system of the patient attacks the beta cells in the pancreas by mistake, and as a result, the pancreas produces little to no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas of the patient doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body resists insulin. Knowing your blood sugar level and regulating it by using healthy diet habits, exercise, and medications can help you manage diabetes effectively and stay healthy.
Normal blood sugar levels based on age
When we discuss the normal blood sugar level by age, we need to first talk about the blood glucose test. The test is usually done in a laboratory, where they take a sample of your blood to run the tests with and determine the blood glucose level. The blood glucose is tested while fasting ( typically done in the morning before breakfast or at anytime if you haven't eaten anything for the last 8 hours) and after meals (after 2 hours of having a meal) to analyze the personal health of the patient and the possibility of diabetes.
Age
|
Fasting blood sugar level
|
After-meal blood sugar level
|
Children under 12
|
70-100 mg/dL
|
70–140 mg/dL
|
Children 13-17
|
70-100 mg/dL
|
70–140 mg/dL
|
Adults 18-50
|
70-100 mg/dL
|
70–140 mg/dL
|
Adults 51-60
|
70-105 mg/dL
|
70–150 mg/dL
|
Adults 60 and above
|
70-115 mg/dL
|
70–160 mg/dL
|
The chart above shows the normal blood glucose levels of people in different age groups. These figures are not concrete, and they may slightly vary based on your health conditions, medications you take, etc. Regularly monitoring your blood sugar level can help you maintain this ideal sugar level, monitor the risk of developing diabetes, and take enough precautions. The blood glucose level test also helps in diagnosing conditions other than diabetes that affect the blood sugar levels.
How do you maintain normal blood sugar levels?
Now that we know the normal glucose levels in the blood based on a person's age, we can continue the discussion on maintaining normal blood sugar levels. A balanced, healthy diet is the first measure to take if you want to regulate your blood sugar levels. Avoid processed and sugary food items and regulate your carbohydrate intake based on your physician's recommendations.
Another important measure to stay healthy and maintain normal blood glucose levels is regular exercise. There is no need to be intense on your body and do heavy exercises if you have never exercised before; you can start with moderate exercises and gradually build your tolerance, but remember that consistency is what pays off in the end.
As we have discussed before, regularly monitoring sugar levels is another way to maintain and regulate your blood sugar. Check your sugar levels at regular intervals, especially if you are suffering from early diabetes symptoms, and manage the disease early on before it gets worse. By making slight changes in your lifestyle and taking proper precautions, you can successfully regulate your blood sugar and stay healthy for a long time.
Who needs a blood sugar test?
People who have any type of diabetes regularly undergo blood sugar tests to monitor their blood glucose levels, but who else needs a sugar test? Well, women who are pregnant undergo massive changes, and as a result, they are vulnerable to gestational diabetes. So pregnancy demands regular sugar tests to examine and regulate the sugar levels and ensure the health of both the baby and the mother. Physicians also generally suggest sugar tests for patients who are showing symptoms of high or low blood sugar and prediabetes.
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