Blood Glucose Interpreter
A single reading interpreted in context. The same number means something very different depending on when it was taken.
Your reading
Enter your blood glucose value and select when it was taken.
Medications that may affect your reading
Metformin lowers fasting glucose by reducing hepatic glucose production. Your unmedicated fasting glucose would likely be higher.
Insulin directly lowers blood glucose. Readings on insulin therapy reflect the medicated state, not your baseline.
SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin) lower glucose by increasing urinary excretion. May cause lower readings than baseline.
Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone) can significantly raise blood glucose, sometimes into concerning ranges, even in people without diabetes.
If you are on glucose-lowering medications, your readings reflect the medicated state. Discuss trends and targets with your healthcare provider.
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About this tool
Context-Specific Thresholds (mg/dL)
Fasting: optimal below 85, healthy 85-99, elevated 100-125, concerning above 126.
1hr post-meal: optimal below 140, elevated 140-180, concerning above 180.
2hr post-meal: optimal below 120, elevated 120-140, concerning above 140.
Random: optimal below 140, elevated 140-180, concerning above 200.
Why Context Matters
A reading of 130 mg/dL means very different things depending on when it was taken. Fasting, it would be elevated and worth investigating. One hour after a carbohydrate-heavy meal, it would be entirely expected and healthy. This is why the context dropdown is the most important input in this tool.
Known Limitations
A single glucose reading is a snapshot. Blood glucose fluctuates throughout the day based on meals, stress, sleep, activity, and hormonal cycles. Trends over multiple readings are more meaningful than any single number. Reactive hypoglycemia can produce readings that look low-normal but feel symptomatic.
Sources
American Diabetes Association Standards of Care (2024). WHO diagnostic criteria for diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia.
Educational tool only. Not for diagnostic purposes. Consult a healthcare provider for medical decisions.