{"id":3117,"date":"2023-05-23T03:32:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T16:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/2023\/05\/23\/normalbloodsugarlevelsaustralia\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T16:32:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T05:32:43","slug":"normalbloodsugarlevelsaustralia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/normalbloodsugarlevelsaustralia\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the optimal range for blood glucose levels in Australia?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The glucose (sugar) in our bloodstream does a vital job, providing our cells with energy. But if our blood glucose level (BGL) goes out of balance, the effects on our health can be serious.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article will tell you what the optimal range for blood sugar levels in Australia is. We\u2019ll explain how you can find out whether yours is in that range and, if it isn\u2019t, what you can do to change this.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the optimal range for blood glucose levels in Australia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Australia, the target range for all adults over 18 is 4.0 \u2013 7.8 millimoles of glucose per litre of blood (mmols\/L). It\u2019s important to be in the optimal range; consistently being outside it can have serious consequences. Not having enough sugar in the blood (a condition called hypoglycaemia) can cause drowsiness, seizures and unconsciousness. Having too much (hyperglycaemia) can cause chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. <br><br><\/span><strong>Several factors can cause our blood sugar levels to go up and down. <\/strong><\/p><br><p><strong><em>These include:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">food\u2014especially the type and amount of carbohydrates we eat (when we eat is also a factor)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical activity<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">illness<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injury<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medications<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emotional stress<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hormonal changes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A key factor in BGLs is how well the chemical relationship between glucose and the hormone insulin is working.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we eat or drink, glucose from carbohydrates enters our bloodstream, causing the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin transports glucose to our muscles and organs such as the liver, effectively controlling how much sugar is in the blood.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the glucose\/insulin relationship isn\u2019t working properly, a condition called insulin resistance develops. This is where our cells are not responding normally to insulin and the body is unable to convert glucose into energy. That causes more and more unused glucose to be \u2018dumped\u2019 in the bloodstream, and that in turn can result in hyperglycaemia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><h6><strong>The most common symptoms of hyperglycaemia are:<\/strong><\/h6><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frequently needing to urinate<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased thirst<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blurred vision<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">difficulty or delayed healing of infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyperglycaemia can be a symptom of diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Diabetes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes mellitus (to give it its proper name) is where the body either can\u2019t produce insulin or is unable to use it effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three main types of diabetes\u2014type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Type 1 diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce any insulin. At the moment, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and there is currently no cure available<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Type 2 diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type 2 diabetes is where the body is still able to produce insulin but the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and over time may even produce less insulin<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Type 2 diabetes can in many instances be delayed or prevented.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gestational diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gestational diabetes is when hyperglycaemia is diagnosed in pregnancy. Although it usually goes away after the baby is born, it increases both the mother\u2019s and baby\u2019s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Some women can manage their gestational diabetes by making lifestyle changes, while others need medication.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About diabetes in Australia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes is the biggest challenge facing Australia\u2019s health system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following statistics from Diabetes Australia show just how big a challenge it is:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">134,000 Australians are currently living with type 1 diabetes; type 1 accounts for around 9% of all diabetes in Australia.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost 1.3 million Australians are currently living with type 2 diabetes; type 2 accounts for around 87%.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 Australian develops diabetes every five minutes.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Australia there are around 1.2 million hospitalisations every year because of diabetes-related conditions such as heart disease and kidney failure.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prevalence of all types of diabetes is increasing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scale of the problem shows why it\u2019s so important that you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/#health-check\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">check your risk levels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><\/b><strong>Blood glucose test<\/strong><\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A blood glucose test would be ordered by your doctor if there is a risk or need. This test measures how much glucose you have in your blood. There are two types:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A non-fasting test, where a blood sample is taken.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fasting test, where you fast (don\u2019t eat or drink anything apart from water for 8-10 hours) and then a blood sample is taken.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What do blood glucose test results mean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your test results are sent to your doctor or specialist healthcare provider,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/diabetes-tests\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they will explain what they mean<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having pre-diabetes means it\u2019s time to take action\u2014pre-diabetes can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 10 to 20 times. But if you do take action, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/type-2-diabetes-prevention\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">type 2 diabetes can be prevented<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/what-to-do-pre-diabetes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">things you can do to lower your blood glucose levels if you have pre-diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/foods-prevent-diabetes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eating a nutritious diet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Another very positive move is to join a healthy lifestyle program such as <\/b><b><i><em>Life!<\/em><\/i><\/b><b><br \/><\/b><b><\/b><\/h4>\r\n<h2><strong>How the <i><em>Life!<\/em><\/i> program can help you<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joining the&nbsp;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em>&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a huge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> step towards improving your lifestyle so that you can manage pre-diabetes and avoid developing type 2.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our experienced health professionals will help you make changes so you can achieve your health goals and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;is a free healthy lifestyle program that helps you improve your eating habits, increase your physical activity and manage stress. It\u2019s available as a group course or as a Telephone Health Coaching service.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can take a quick online health test and check your eligibility for the program&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/#health-check\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;is funded by the Victorian government and managed by Diabetes Victoria.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"button teal\" href=\"#health-check\">Take the health check<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The glucose (sugar) in our bloodstream does a vital job, providing our cells with energy. But if our blood glucose level (BGL) goes out of balance, the effects on our health can be serious. This article will tell you what the optimal range for blood sugar levels in Australia is. We\u2019ll explain how you can find out whether yours is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3118,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3117"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4827,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3117\/revisions\/4827"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}