Blood Sugar Units: mg/dL vs mmol/L
Blood glucose is measured in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) in the United States, Pakistan, and India, while the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and Australia use millimoles per litre (mmol/L). The conversion factor is 18: divide mg/dL by 18 to get mmol/L.
Normal Blood Sugar Ranges
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting | <100 mg/dL (<5.6) | 100–125 mg/dL (5.6–6.9) | ≥126 mg/dL (≥7.0) |
| 2hr Post-meal | <140 mg/dL (<7.8) | 140–199 mg/dL (7.8–11.0) | ≥200 mg/dL (≥11.1) |
| HbA1c | <5.7% | 5.7–6.4% | ≥6.5% |
When to Test Blood Sugar
- Fasting glucose: No food or drink (except water) for at least 8 hours before test
- Post-prandial: Exactly 2 hours after starting a meal
- Random: Any time of day — values ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms indicate diabetes