The American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests the following blood sugar targets for the majority of nonpregnant adults with diabetes (1):
- A1C: Less than 7% (154.2 mg/dL)
- Before Meals: 80 – 130 mg/dL
- 1-2 hours after meal began (aka postprandial plasma glucose): Less than 180 mg/dL
- Fasting Blood Sugars screen for nondiabetics: Less than 100 mg/dL
But is this sustainable for those of us with blood sugar disorders?
Those with prediabetes are at risk, too!
Among the prediabetic population, researchers have suggested the following increased rates of developing one of the top three diabetic complications (1, 2, 3):
- Diabetic retinopathy (eye problems): 8 – 12% increase
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage): 11 – 25% increase
- Chronic kidney disease:11% increase
This adds up to almost a 50% chance of developing a major diabetic complication even with “non-diabetic blood sugar ranges.”
A recent paper just blew the lid off further on the idea that fasting blood sugar levels of 95-99 mg/dL are harmless.
Turns out, people in this “normal” range had a 12.5% risk of heart disease, compared to just 7% in those under 80 mg/dL—a 78% jump!
Dr. Gregg Fonarow and Dr. Moein Ebrahimi are calling for a reclassification of blood sugar stages, where even slightly high-but-normal levels (Stage 2) increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
And get this—rollercoaster blood sugars alone may be harming your heart, as well.
This relates to glycemic variability, which I’ve written about its effects extensively.
So, what does this mean?
If your doc shrugs at your 98 mg/dL fasting glucose (or higher), definitively celebrate being better than average, but know there’s still a potential cause-&-effect that may be brewing, too.
Bottom line: Your “normal” blood sugar might be doing PR damage control. Don’t let it fool you. 🚨💉
I stress within my practice to improve insulin sensitivity to better manage blood glucose levels, which covers diet, sleep, activity, stress mitigation, & gut health.
That’s it for this week.
Done within a minute.