Blood Glucose Level Target Ranges, New Ones For UK

Blood glucose level target ranges that are new have been adopted. Diabetes UK has updated this in light of the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommendations. Before this, the IDF (the International Diabetes Federation suggested that changes be made to the target ranges after a meal. This was in November 2007.

Then in 2008, NICE prepared and published their rules on the blood glucose level target ranges for type 2 diabetes. Since Diabetes UK continually updates their own data, they decided to follow NICE recommendations and so has also made the changes to reflect the new changes.

In order to understand the new guidelines, it is good to see what is to target for. Of course the best target is to aim for the blood glucose level that is as close to normal ranges as possible like for those who do not have diabetes. And this is their reading before meals: 3.5-5.5 mmols/L before meals while for two hours after meals, it is less than 8 mmols/L.

Opinions as to the blood sugar target to aim for vary. This is understandable because each individuals has his own needs. Therefore, the target should be one that is agreed by both the person with diabetes and his diabetes care team. Read this page for more on blood glucose.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. the blood glucose targets for most people with diabetes is 70 to 130 for before meals. For 1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal, it is below 180.

In 2004, NICE recommendations for children with type 1 diabetes before meals is 4-8 mmols/L. Two hours after meals, the recommendation is less than 10 mmols/L. For adults with type 1 diabetes, it is 4-7 mmols/L and for two hours after meals, it is less than 9 mmols/L.

In 2008 NICE recommendations for type 2 diabetes have changed to 4-7 mmol/L for before meals and less than 8.5 mmols/L for two hours after meals. So you see it is important to self-monitor the blood sugar level as part of the routine every day. This way, we can watch for symptoms for either hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia as well as those of possible complications. That's how important it is to check one's blood glucose level.