What Do Your Diabetes Blood Test Results Mean?
Diabetes blood test results are different for everyone. When testing your diabetes, it is important to note any odd results that could possibly result from false readings. The most common reason for an inaccurate result is due to the fact that patients do not wash their hands before a reading; therefore it is very important to do so before performing the diabetes blood test.
Normal Diabetes Blood Test Results
The results shown on this page are values that are obtained from your veins, which indicate the blood plasma level (blood glucose levels). It is important to note that these ranges are just a guide, and actual results may vary from lab to lab. If your diabetes test results are outside these ranges, they may still be normal depending on the lab you tested at.
| Time of reading | Glucose levels |
| Fasting blood glucose | 70 – 99 mg/dL (3.9 – 5.5 mmol/L) |
| 2 hours after eating | 70 – 145 mg/L (3.9 – 8.1 mmol/L) |
| Anytime (casual) | 70 – 125 mg/dL (3.9 – 6.9 mmol/L) |
There are many factors that influence your glucose levels. Please be sure to check with your doctor if you find that your glucose levels are abnormal and are outside of these ranges.
High Values
Before being diagnosed with diabetes, doctors usually take multiple tests to be sure of your condition. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for diagnosing are confirmed when any of these results are repeated on at least 2 different days:
- A fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
- A 2 hour oral glucose test of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher. Please note that the results for the oral glucose test is different from the blood glucose test results and are not to scale
- Having symptoms of diabetes and a random blood glucose test of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and frequent urination, an unexplained increase in appetite or weight loss, fatigue, erection problems, blurred vision and tingling or numbness in the extremities (hands and feet)
If your fasting blood glucose level in the range of 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) to 125 mg/dL (6.9 mmol/L), you have fall into the category of prediabetes, which means you are at a higher risk of getting diabetes. See your physician for recommendations of diet and lifestyle changes that may help you reduce your risk of diabetes.
Other conditions may cause high blood glucose levels as well, including heart attacks, strokes, Cushing’s syndrome, or medications like corticosteroids, or excess growth hormones.
Low values
People who have low blood glucose levels are considered to have hypoglycemia (low glucose). A fasting glucose level below 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) in women or below 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) in men with symptoms of hypoglycemia may also indicate insulinoma, which is a tumor that produces abnormally high amounts of insulin, lowering your glucose levels.
Some people have variations in readings all the time, but the goal is to have a constant and controlled blood sugar level. This is why it is crucial to check your diabetes blood test results everyday to ensure they are in a healthy range for your health state.
