A normal blood sugar is based on the time it is obtained (whether one is fasting or after eating). Impaired glucose tolerance or "pre-diabetes" is diagnosed if:
- Fasting blood sugar is between 100-126 mg/dl.
- Oral glucose tolerance test in which 1-2 hour reading is between 140-200 mg/dl.
Generally "prediabetes" occurs in people at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and is not applicable in patients who develop type 1 diabetes due to the presence of insulin in type 2 patients and lack thereof in children and teens with type 1 diabetes.
In children and teens with known diabetes, your diabetes team will provide goal ranges of blood sugars based on your age. Younger children (<5 years) are usually given higher blood sugar ranges and young adults given adult ranges. Typical goal blood sugar ranges depending on age groups (keep in mind that your diabetes team may specify different ranges and that is ok)
1. Under 5 years of age: 80-200 mg/dl
2. Five years and older children: 70-180 mg/dl
3. Adolescents and young adults: 70-120-180 mg/dl (depending on personal goals).
Hypoglycemia is generally defined as blood sugars < 70 mg/dl. Keep in mind that one may be asymptomatic even with a blood sugar 40 mg/dl (lower than 70) on one occasion and may have major hypoglycemic symptoms with blood glucose of 65 mg/dl.
If there are any further questions regarding the diagnosis of diabetes or discussion of blood glucose targets, etc., please let me know and I will answer in the comments section.
