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Todays question:
I was wondering if a 120 blood sugar level is too high?
For those measuring blood sugar in mmol, 120 is equal to 6.6 mmol/l.
So let’s look at a blood sugar chart, then have a chat about optimal levels.
Diabetes Blood Sugar Level Goals
mg/dl levels mmol/l levels
As you can see from this chart, a level of 6.6/ 120 is not too high.
Ideally you do want it under 110 (6.1) for your morning fasting level. But lots of people do find their morning levels higher. Read this to find out why.
You can also see that having a 120 (6.6) reading 2 hours after meals would be excellent and before bed a reading of 120 (6.6) is in the mid range too, so that’s perfectly okay.
The Most Important Number
The most important number to keep in mind is 140 (7.8).
You do not want to let your blood sugar levels get above 140 (7.8) for any prolonged length of time.
When your blood sugar goes over 140 (7.8) this is the ‘danger’ level. Having a blood sugar above 140 (7.8) for prolonged periods does some critical damage that can lead to diabetic complications, which nobody wants.
So the target is always under 140 (7.8) after meals, 120 (6.6) is even better.
6.6 / 120 Blood Sugar Level
Although 120 is not too high, ideally you do want to gain very good control of your blood sugar levels by following a healthy diet and doing regular exercise.
If you can get your fasting level between 90-100 mg/dl (5-5.5 mmol/l), and your 2 hour reading between 120-140 mg/dl (6.6-7.8 mmol/l) then that is optimal.
These are goals to work towards.
Hope this has helped answer your question.
Wishing you the best in health 🙂
Got a question? Click here to send it in
Hello, I am 53 years old weight approximately 65kg. Early morning (woke-up) is approximately 2.1 to 2.4mmol. Is this too low?
Yes Tham, below 4.o is HYPOglycemia (low blood sugar) and can be dangerous. Read more about it here. If this continues to occur, it may be wise to visit your doctor.
Hi,
I’m 33 years old and came to know I have pre-diabetes 2 months back. I’m doing exercise and losing a weight. Is it possible to come to normal again?
Thanks
Absolutely with a proper diet, exercise, and weight loss you can achieve normal sugar levels. Diabetes (or prediabetes) isn’t reversible from a diagnostic standpoint, meaning once you have it you have it, but by taking control of your prediabetes now you can prevent it from progressing into full blown diabetes. Check out this article for a little more insight into this.
Hi, I’m 53 and began a Ketogenic life style. I was 350 pounds 6/28/18, bg’s ranged 145-220 and I was taking 250 units slow and quick insulin each day. I was eating a 2000 calorie a day diet w/45-55 carbs per meal. 9/28/18 I am at 300 pounds, bg’s are 89 fasting and max 120 2 hrs after meals. I haven’t used insulin since 7/20/18. I now eat 70% fat, 25% Protein and 5% carbs that include 3-4 cups of no or low starch veggie.
I am glad you have found something that works so well for you, Mike. Our meal plans are not keto, we encourage a low carb lifestyle and many of our members find eating 50-80 grams of carbs daily results in optimal results.
In our experience, members are getting the same results without needing to be so strict with cutting carbs. Sometimes having more variety helps people sustain a good eating plan long term. We also believe more vegetables in the diet is important, and it can be hard to follow a true keto diet and eat adequate veggies at the same time. Just things to consider, but again, I am glad what you’re doing is working for you!
Mike Emily, I have done both Keto (below 30) and low carb (50-75). I did keto for 2 years and it by far was the fastest way to lower my BS. It was also the most healthiest. I ate a lot more vegetables with that diet then I do now with low carb. I could feel all the nutrition I was getting in my body compared to now at low carb. The only reason i switched to low carb is so I can have sweets. I am a sugar addict and hard to completely cut them out, so I increased my carbs an extra 30 grams a day so I can enjoy some dark chocolate. I have noticed more inflammation in my body just by increasing that little of carbs and it of course knocked me out of ketosis.
Hi Amanda, you should be able to eat plenty of vegetables on a low carb diet (just as many, if not MORE than on a keto diet.) Check out this list for some vegetable suggestions that are especially low in carbs.
As far as keto vs low carb… both are very effective at lowering blood sugar and A1c levels. Keto tends to be a bit more restrictive, so most people find a low carb diet a more sustainable approach to managing their blood sugar; but for those that find keto more sustainable, then absolutely those people should do what works best for them! And as someone who also loves chocolate, I highly suggest giving this article a read too!
Blood suger after food 6.6 this any problem
No, the maximum 2-hours after eating should be 7.8
Hi
My father is 71 years he is diabetic when sugar level is 6.0 mml before bed time is the right range for diabetic person?
6.0 is a normal level before bed, the range can often be 5-8.3 mmol/l. Find more info on blood sugar levels here.
YOUR WEBSITE WAS VERY HELPFUL