Understanding blood sugar levels & when to get tested

Blood sugar might not be something you think about every day, but it plays a huge role in how you feel, both in the moment and over time. Your body uses blood sugar, or glucose, as its primary source of energy, and when levels are out of balance, it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, brain fog, and even cravings. Over the long term, consistently high or low blood sugar can increase your risk for serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes or heart disease. That’s why it’s important to understand how your blood sugar works and when it might be time to get tested.

Whether you’re dealing with unexplained symptoms, have a family history of diabetes, or just want to stay on top of your health, checking your blood sugar can give you valuable insight into how your body is functioning and what steps you might need to take next.

What is blood sugar?

Blood sugar, also called glucose, is the main type of sugar in your blood, and it’s your body’s go-to source of energy. You get glucose from the food you eat, especially carbohydrates like bread, fruit, and pasta. Once digested, that sugar travels through your bloodstream and gets delivered to your cells to keep you moving, thinking, and functioning throughout the day. But when blood sugar levels stay too high or too low for too long, it can cause serious health issues. Constant highs may be a warning sign of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, while frequent lows can leave you feeling shaky, dizzy, or exhausted. That’s why keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range matters; it helps you feel better now and protects your health in the long run.

What are normal blood sugar levels?

Knowing what counts as a normal blood sugar level can help you better understand your health and catch potential problems early:

• If you're testing your blood sugar after fasting, meaning you haven’t eaten for at least 8 hours, a normal range is between 70 and 99 mg/dL.
• If your fasting blood sugar falls between 100 and 125 mg/dL, it may indicate prediabetes, which means your body is starting to have trouble managing glucose.
• A fasting level of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests typically points to diabetes.
• After you eat, your blood sugar naturally rises, but it should stay under 140 mg/dL if your body is handling things correctly.

These numbers may seem small, but they offer big clues about how your body is processing food, and whether it’s time to take action to protect your health.

Symptoms of high or low blood sugar

Your body usually does a great job keeping your blood sugar in balance, but when things get off track, you might start to notice some symptoms.

• High blood sugar, called hyperglycemia, can make you feel extra thirsty, cause you to pee more often, and leave you feeling tired or foggy. You might also notice blurred vision or that cuts and scrapes take longer to heal.
• On the flip side, low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, can make you shaky, sweaty, irritable, or dizzy, and in more serious cases, even confused or disoriented.

Both high and low blood sugar levels can sneak up on you, so it’s important to pay attention to how your body feels, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or insulin resistance. Catching these signs early can help you get things back in balance before they become a bigger issue.

When to get your blood sugar tested

Getting your blood sugar tested is a simple step that can give you a lot of insight into your overall health, especially if you’re at risk for diabetes. It’s a good idea to get tested if you’re over 45, carry extra weight, have a family history of diabetes, or live a mostly sedentary lifestyle. But age and genetics aren’t the only reasons to check in.

If you’re dealing with symptoms like constant fatigue, blurry vision, frequent urination, or unexplained weight changes, your body might be trying to tell you that your blood sugar is out of balance. Blood sugar testing is also a routine part of annual checkups and wellness visits, and it’s especially important during pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, regular testing is key to keeping things under control and adjusting your care plan as needed.

Types of blood sugar tests

There are several methods for testing your blood sugar, and each provides a slightly different view of how your body is managing glucose:

• A fasting blood glucose test is one of the most common; you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) for about 8 hours before your blood is drawn.
• The A1C test is another key option, and it doesn’t require fasting; instead, it shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months, making it helpful for spotting long-term patterns.
• If your doctor wants to see how your body responds to sugar in real time, they might order an oral glucose tolerance test, which involves drinking a sweet liquid and checking your blood sugar at intervals afterward.
• There’s also the random glucose test, which can be done at any point during the day, even if you’ve just eaten.

Each test plays a different role, but together, they help give a fuller picture of your blood sugar health.

Where to get tested

If you think it’s time to check your blood sugar, the good news is that there are several easy ways to get tested.

• If you need answers quickly, many urgent care clinics offer same-day blood sugar testing, no appointment needed. You can also check with local community health centers or pharmacies, which sometimes offer free or low-cost screenings during health fairs or special programs.
• If you’re monitoring your blood sugar regularly, at-home glucose monitors are a convenient way to stay on top of your levels day to day. Whether you need a one-time check or ongoing support, there’s a testing option that suits your schedule and needs.

What your results mean and next steps

Once you receive your blood sugar test results, it’s essential to understand what they mean and what steps to take next:

• If your levels are in the normal range, that’s great news! You can focus on maintaining your healthy habits and getting routine checkups to stay on track.
• If your results fall into the borderline or prediabetic range, it’s a sign that your body is starting to struggle with blood sugar control. The good news is that with a few lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing stress, you may be able to bring your numbers back down and prevent diabetes.
• If your results fall in the diabetic range, don’t panic. It simply means it’s time to work with your healthcare provider to create a personalized plan, which may include adjustments to your diet, a consistent exercise routine, and possibly medication.

Whatever your result, knowing your numbers gives you the power to take control of your health moving forward.

Want to check your blood sugar? Find an urgent care or testing clinic near you

If you're curious about your blood sugar levels or experiencing symptoms, don’t wait; use Solv to book same-day testing at a nearby urgent care center or lab and get the answers you need to take control of your health.