Understanding blood sugar numbers in diabetes is one of the most important steps in managing the condition day-to-day. These numbers help patients know what’s happening in their body, guide treatment decisions, and allow clinicians to monitor progress. In this guide, you’ll find clear targets, what affects your readings, and how home measurements can support remote patient monitoring for better, more consistent care.
What Blood Sugar Numbers in Diabetes Mean
Blood sugar numbers in diabetes tell you how well the body is processing glucose. They guide medication adjustments, lifestyle changes, and follow-up care. They can also give physicians insight into trends over time when readings are taken consistently at home and shared through remote glucose monitoring tools.
Fasting Blood Sugar Targets
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that most adults with diabetes, fasting blood sugar goals are 80–130 mg/dL before eating. These numbers are taken after an overnight fast or at least eight hours without food.
Consistently staying within range helps prevent long-term complications. It also gives clinicians a clean baseline to adjust treatment if needed. Patients using home remote monitoring blood glucose meters or continuous glucose monitoring devices send these numbers to their care team through remote patient monitoring platforms. Continuous glucose monitoring companies such as Dexcom, have created CGM technologies such as the G6 CGM system, known for its accuracy and ease of use. Dexcom also offers Dexcom G7, which is smaller and more user-friendly.
Post-Meal Sugar Targets
Post-meal blood sugar typically peaks one to two hours after eating. For most adults with diabetes, the ADA recommends: less than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after meals. Tracking this number helps patients recognize food-related patterns, including which meals tend to push your glucose higher than expected.
A1C: Long-Term Average
A1C reflects your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. It is expressed as a percentage. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that a general goal for many adults with diabetes is A1C < 7%.
However, some individuals may have slightly higher or lower targets depending on health status and risk factors. Because A1C captures long-term control, it becomes valuable when clinicians can compare it to home glucose readings from remote monitoring programs.
Understanding “Time in Range”
Time in Range (TIR) is increasingly used alongside traditional blood sugar goals for patients using continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to assess diabetes management. It ismost efficient to calculate TIR with the use of a CGM. There are general guidelines for TIR goals, but people with diabetes do not all share the same glucose targets. An ideal time in range depends on factors such as how long a person has had diabetes, age, other medical conditions, risk of hypoglycemia, and pregnancy. A patient’s clinician will individualize goals and may adjust them over time.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, for most adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, general TIR recommendations include:
- ≥70% of the day between 70–180 mg/dL
- <1% below 54 mg/dL
- <4% between 54–69 mg/dL
- <25% between 181–250 mg/dL
- <5% above 250 mg/dL
For individuals with higher hypoglycemia risk, the suggested targets:
- ≥50% between 70–180 mg/dL
- <1% below 70 mg/dL
- <10% above 250 mg/dL
During pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes, recommended ranges shift to tighter control:
- ≥70% between 63–140 mg/dL
- <4% below 63 mg/dL
- <25% above 140 mg/dL
Targets for gestational diabetes or Type 2 diabetes in pregnancy may differ, so patients should review their individualized goals with their care team. TIR provides a fuller picture of how often blood sugar stays stable.
What Causes Blood Sugar to Rise or Fall
Blood sugar levels in diabetes can fluctuate rapidly in response to various factors. Blood sugar is 240 mg/dL or above is considered high. Understanding these factors may be better understood when readings are shared with providers and interpreted in context.
Many things can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), including:
- Being sick
- Being stressed
- Eating more than usual
- Not taking enough insulin.
Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL is considered low. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may be caused by:
- Missing a meal
- Taking too much insulin
- Taking other diabetes medicines
- Being more physically active than usual
- Drinking alcohol
How frequently blood sugar should be checked depends on the type of diabetes, treatment plan, and technology a patient is using to measure. According to Mayo Clinic, how often to check blood sugar varies based on diabetes type, treatment, and clinical goals. A care team will set a schedule that fits their patient’s regimen and day-to-day needs.
People with Type 1 often need frequent checks or a continuous glucose monitor. Fingerstick testing may be recommended 4–10 times per day, including before meals, sometimes after eating, around exercise, before bed, overnight if needed, after treating lows, or any time illness, medication changes, or routine changes could shift glucose levels.
For Type 2 diabetes managed with insulin, clinicians may recommend a CGM or multiple daily checks. Testing is often done before meals and at bedtime when using more than one daily insulin dose, or once or twice daily when using long-acting insulin alone. People using non-insulin medications—or managing diabetes through diet and exercise—may not need daily testing unless symptoms or clinical circumstances warrant it.
In any type of diabetes, more frequent testing may be needed during illness, when driving long distances, after treating low blood sugar, or when adjusting diet, exercise, or medications.
Using Home Readings in Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) adds structure to home glucose tracking. Patients measure blood sugar using a connected meter or CGM, and readings automatically reach their clinician. Consistent home blood sugar numbers in diabetes help physicians spot trends earlier, adjust medications sooner, prevent complications, and provide more personalized guidance. RPM simply makes the data easier for clinicians to review without waiting months between visits.
Blood sugar numbers in diabetes offer insight into daily control, long-term trends, and overall health. Whether you check with a home meter, use a CGM, or send readings to your physician through a remote monitoring program, understanding your numbers empowers you to take a more active role in managing diabetes.
