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These studies suggest that normative blood sugar levels for adults without diabetes have been established and can serve as a benchmark for future research.
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Understanding normal blood sugar levels in adults without diabetes is crucial for establishing benchmarks in clinical practice and research. Recent studies using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provide valuable insights into the glycemic profiles of healthy individuals.
Research indicates that the mean glucose levels for healthy, non-diabetic adults typically range between 98-99 mg/dL (5.4-5.5 mmol/L) across various age groups, with a slight increase to 104 mg/dL (5.8 mmol/L) in individuals over 60 years old. This data is consistent across multiple studies, providing a reliable reference for normal glucose levels.
The percentage of time that healthy individuals spend within the normal glucose range (70-140 mg/dL or 3.9-7.8 mmol/L) is notably high. One study found that the median time in this range was 96%, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 93%-98%. Another study reported similar findings, with a median time-in-range of 97.3% and a mean of 95.4%. These metrics highlight the stability of glucose levels in non-diabetic adults.
Healthy individuals do experience some time in hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL or 3.9 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dL or 7.8 mmol/L), though these instances are minimal. The median time spent in hypoglycemia was reported as 1.1% (approximately 15 minutes per day), and another study found a median of 1.6% and a mean of 3.2%. For hyperglycemia, the median time was 2.1% (about 30 minutes per day).
Glycemic variability, which measures fluctuations in blood glucose levels, is also an important metric. The mean within-individual coefficient of variation (CV) was found to be 17±3%. Additionally, measures of glycemic variability, such as standard deviation and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions, were significantly greater during the daytime compared to nighttime.
In summary, normal blood sugar levels for adults without diabetes are characterized by mean glucose levels of approximately 98-99 mg/dL, with a slight increase in older adults. These individuals spend the vast majority of their time within the normal glucose range, with minimal time in hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Glycemic variability is relatively low but shows some diurnal variation. These benchmarks are essential for clinical practice and future research in glucose monitoring and diabetes management.
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