In one’s body, high or low blood sugar levels vary due to many reasons. Even if you know the rough range for normal sugar in blood, you might still be wondering what is the ideal range as age also plays a major role in it. It is different among varied age groups and at different times during the day. Hence, it may get challenging to keep a note on our own. Therefore, having an understanding of what the normal range of blood sugar levels among different age groups is the best way to monitor it to keep it in a healthy range with lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, medications if needed, etc. Read further to know what’s ‘normal’ range and keep a check for your blood glucose level based on your age.

Factors that determine normal blood sugar level

Before talking about numbers, a normal blood sugar level varies on multiple factors, age being one of them. The other factors include-

• Type and quantity of food consumed
• The time of consuming food - Medications
• Prior medical conditions and illnesses
• Age
• Stress
• Dehydration
• Hormones including the menstrual cycle and sex hormones
• Consumption of herbs and other compounds like caffeine, alcohol, etc.

Normal blood sugar levels for children, aged-6-12 years

For children without diabetes, regular monitoring of glucose throughout the day is not needed, unless any medical condition exists like type 1 diabetes. For children with diabetes, the level of glucose in the blood will vary during the day, from when they wake up, to the different activities performed and before they sleep. Thus, the 6-12 years age children should have normal glucose readings like:

- Before breakfast (fasting blood sugar): 70-120 mg/dL

- One to two hours post meal: less than 140 mg/dL

- Before meals and during bedtime: 70-120 mg/dL

Despite any condition in children with diabetes, recommendations suggest that blood glucose levels should be between 80-180 mg/dL only throughout the day.

Normal blood sugar levels for Teens, aged 13-19 years

With no set of rules, healthy children without diabetes should have a glucose level between 70-14o mg/dL. For teenagers with type 1 diabetes, the blood sugar level should aim to be between 70-150 mg/dL throughout the day. However, the normal blood sugar level chart for teens should look like this:

- Fasting: 70-150 mg/dL

- Before meals: 90-130mg/dL

- 1-2 hours post meal: up to 140mg/dL

- During bed: 90-150 mg/dL

Normal blood sugar levels for Adults, aged 20+

The majority of the research on normal sugar levels is focused on adults as the risk for diabetes is high during this age. The optimal fasting glucose range to minimize the risk for prediabetes should be between 70-90mg/dL for adults without the diabetic conditions. As per research, the fasting blood sugar range above 90 mg/dL can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the normal blood sugar level chart for adults should look like this:

Normal range:

• Fasting (after 8 hours of not eating): 70-90mg/dL
• Post meal (2 hours after consuming glucose): less than 140 mg/dL

Pre-diabetes range:

• Fasting (after 8 hours of not eating): 100-125 mg/dL
• Post meal (2 hours after consuming glucose: 140-180 mg/dL

Diabetes range:

• Fasting (after 8 hours of not eating): more than 126 mg/dL
• Post meal (2 hours after consuming glucose: more than 200 mg/dL

Normal Blood sugar levels for Older Adults, aged 50-65+

For older adults with no diabetes, the normal and healthy glucose level will be the same as adults ranging between 70-140 mg/dL during the day. For older adults with diabetes condition along with comorbidities or severe diabetes complications like kidney damage, neuropathy, or retinopathy, the glucose level and A1C value (test result reflecting normal blood sugar level in past 2-3 months) may be more lenient as it will depend on the pancreas condition. Here is how the ‘normal range’ age 50-70 sugar level chart age-wise will appear:

Other conditions: None or few

• Cognitive impairment: None or mild
• Target HbA1C: 7.5% or less
• Fasting target: 90-130 mg/dL
• Bedtime target: 90-150 mg/dL

Multiple conditions:

• Cognitive impairment: mild-moderate
• Target HbA1C: 8% or less
• Fasting target: 90-150 mg/dL
• Bedtime target: 100-180 mg/dL

Late-stage illness:

• Cognitive impairment: moderate-severe
• Target HbA1C: 8% -9%
• Fasting target: 100-180 mg/dL
• Bedtime target: 110-120 mg/dL

Post 50 years of age, the risk of diabetes is quite high as there are no warning signs until the levels increase much higher than the expected range. So, it is imperative to control it through various ways, like tracking and monitoring it regularly with the help of these charts age wise, regular exercise, taking proper diet, and timely consuming medications as prescribed by the doctor.

Exercise for weight loss, drinking apple cider vinegar, consuming protein-rich meals, avoiding late-night munching, working on stress management, and many other such lifestyle changes will have a significant impact on how your body will feel and function towards keeping yourself healthy along with keeping your blood sugar level in the range.