Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

8/29/05

Q:
What is a normal blood sugar level for a 5 foot 11 inch tall man of 42 years of age weighing approximately 168 lbs? I would also like to know at what point it becomes borderline.

A:
Regardless of height and weight, a "normal" range can be quoted anywhere form 60-120/70-115 fasting. For most of us, without other health complications, 80-90 fasting is a good goal. A diagnosis of diabetes is two fasting blood sugars of 126, or a random of 180-200 . Blood sugars of 100-126 are pre-diabetes. "Borderline" is not the term we currently use.