From the Guidelines
For someone with diabetes, a good home blood sugar target is generally between 70-130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180 mg/dl after meals, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. The targets may vary based on individual factors such as age, other health conditions, and diabetes duration. To monitor blood sugar effectively, use a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) as recommended by your healthcare provider, typically checking before meals and after meals. For accurate readings, wash hands before testing, use fresh test strips, and follow your device's instructions carefully. Blood sugar targets help prevent both short-term complications like hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), as well as long-term complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems. Regular monitoring allows you and your healthcare provider to adjust your diabetes management plan, which may include medications, diet, and exercise, to maintain optimal blood sugar control. Some key points to consider when setting blood sugar targets include:
- Duration of diabetes
- Age/life expectancy
- Comorbid conditions
- Known CVD or advanced microvascular complications
- Hypoglycemia unawareness
- Individual patient considerations, as outlined in the guidelines 1. It's also important to note that postprandial glucose measurements should be made 1–2 h after the beginning of the meal, and targeting postprandial glucose may be beneficial for individuals who have premeal glucose values within target but have A1C values above target 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The intravenous administration of Humulin R U-100 was tested in 21 patients with type 1 diabetes ... adjusted to maintain blood glucose concentrations near normoglycemia (100 to 160 mg/dL). At the endpoint, blood glucose was within the target range (100 to 160 mg/dL) for 20 of 21 patients treated with Humulin R U-100.
A good home blood sugar for someone with diabetes is between 100 to 160 mg/dL.
- This range is considered near normoglycemia.
- The study 2 achieved this range in 20 out of 21 patients with type 1 diabetes using intravenous Humulin R U-100.
From the Research
Blood Sugar Targets for Diabetes Management
The target blood sugar levels for individuals with diabetes can vary depending on several factors, including the type of diabetes, age, and overall health.
- The American Diabetes Association recommends the following blood sugar targets for people with diabetes:
Medications for Blood Sugar Control
Several medications are available to help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, including:
- Metformin, which is often the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes 3
- Sulphonylureas, which can help improve blood sugar control 3
- GLP-1 receptor agonists, which can help improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss 4, 5, 6, 7
- SGLT-2 inhibitors, which can help improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss 4, 5, 6, 7
Combination Therapy for Blood Sugar Control
Combination therapy with multiple medications can be an effective way to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
- Studies have shown that combination therapy with GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors can provide effective blood sugar control and promote weight loss 5, 6, 7
- However, the choice of medication and combination therapy should be individualized based on the person's specific needs and health status.