What is glucose?

Glucose on your report

Indian reports show fasting and post-meal (PP) blood sugar in mg/dL. For fasting levels, MedlinePlus gives:

• 70 to 99 mg/dL as normal
• 100 to 125 mg/dL as suggesting prediabetes
• 126 mg/dL or higher as usually indicating diabetes

Normal ranges vary slightly between labs.

What glucose tells your doctor

Your body works to keep blood glucose within a narrow range. Outside it:

• a level that stays too high can be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes
• a level that's too low can point to other health problems

Because glucose rises and falls with meals, stress and illness, a single reading is only part of the story, which is why doctors also look at tests like HbA1c.

What moves your glucose

What you eat and how you move shape your glucose.

Habits that help:

• Pair carbohydrates with protein and fibre, such as rice with dal and sabzi, or fruit with a few nuts.
• Choose whole grains and millets over refined flour.
• Keep sweets and sugary drinks small.
• Being active helps your muscles use glucose.

Stress, illness and some medicines, such as steroids, can push it up, so tell your doctor about everything you take.