What Are Normal Readings on a Glucometer?

A glucometer allows people with elevated blood sugar to check their glucose levels on a regular basis. Normal readings vary depending on whether the patient has eaten recently.

Definition

A glucometer determines the body’s current level of blood sugar (glucose). A patient places a drop of blood in the device to get a numerical reading, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Fasting and Postprandial Readings

Diabetics or those at risk for diabetes routinely test their blood sugar before meals (the fasting reading) and two hours after a meal (the postprandial reading), according to the All About Diabetes website.

Numbers

Normal blood sugar registers 3.3 to 6.1 millimoles per deciliter (mmol/dL) when fasting and under 11.1 mmol/dL postprandial.

Establishing a Baseline

The fasting reading establishes the baseline level for the body’s blood sugar. The postprandial reading demonstrates how significantly food intake impacts blood sugar.

Frequency

People with Type 1 diabetes should check their glucose levels at least three times a day, while pregnant women with elevated blood sugar should test themselves twice a day. Type 2 diabetics have no strict guidelines for testing but should check their glucose regularly.

References

• American Diabetes Association: Blood Glucose Meters
• All About Diabetes: Glucometer Results - Interpreting the Numbers