Can blood sugar levels be low when you are not diabetic?

[haylz27]

I haven't been tested for diabetes in maybe 8 or so years and I didn't have it.

My mum was checking her blood sugar levels so I asked her to do mine. I haven't eaten a single thing today, since late last night. My sugar level came up as 4.4 on the machine.
Do you think this could mean I'm diabetic? A lot of people in my family are. Can non-diabetics sugar levels be a little low or not when they haven't eaten for a very long period or should it still be at a normal level?

 

[sally and james]

My sugar level came up as 4.4 on the machine.

Perfect! Nothing to worry about. That reading is absolutely normal and healthy. If your body requires a higher sugar level, your liver will produce and release glucose.
Sally

 

[haylz27]

Perfect! Nothing to worry about. That reading is absolutely normal and healthy. If your body requires a higher sugar level, your liver will produce and release glucose.
Sally

Really? Can you please tell me what a "normal" blood sugar is for a non-diabetic? I think I will get tested again sometime this month just to be on the safe side.

 

[sally and james]

A normal, pre-meal or fasting blood sugar is in the range of 4 to 6, though truly healthy, especially for a young person would be in the 4's or a very low 5.
You will hear of lots of blood sugar readings that are much higher than this because so many of us are on the road to diabetes, if not already there. Maintain a healthy diet (real food and low sugar) and you may never follow this path.
Sally

 

[Brunneria]

What S&J said.

 

[Guzzler]

What Type of Diabetes does your Mum have and what did she say about the reading?

 

[jaywak]

I have done 2 blood tests on non diabetics, my wife and her step mother and they were both in the 4 s so would say that is perfectly normal.

 

[EllieM]

Do you think this could mean I'm diabetic? A lot of people in my family are. Can non-diabetics sugar levels be a little low or not when they haven't eaten for a very long period or should it still be at a normal level?

Your results sound perfect. I'm guessing your family members are all T2? (That's the most strongly genetic one.) Just keep your waist measurement at under half your height measurement and you'll probably be fine.(T1 diabetic with husband who has multiple T2 family members).

 

[Bluetit1802]

I haven't been tested for diabetes in maybe 8 or so years and I didn't have it.

My mum was checking her blood sugar levels so I asked her to do mine. I haven't eaten a single thing today, since late last night. My sugar level came up as 4.4 on the machine.
Do you think this could mean I'm diabetic? A lot of people in my family are. Can non-diabetics sugar levels be a little low or not when they haven't eaten for a very long period or should it still be at a normal level?

I agree with everyone else. A reading in the 4s is perfect and within the normal range.
My non-diabetic husband is always in the 4s when he hasn't eaten.
Why do you think 4.4 is a diabetic reading?
If you had said 8.4 the answers would be different!

 

[Ambersilva]

My non diabetic friend has access to a meter because she wanted to know what her blood sugar reading would be when she felt light headed and hungry. She has recorded a reading as low as 3.2.

 

[Lamont D]

Those readings are perfectly normal.
But, the answer to your question is yes!

I have a condition, where fasting and hba1c levels are in normal levels range.
But 'react' to food intolerance!
Therefore I hypo, when circumstances dictates.

 

[Robbity]

Hi, I'd agree that that reading was a perfectly normal level, so there]s nothing to be concerned about,

But yes - non diabetics can sometimes get very low or even hypo glucose levels. I had this latter happen a very few times - many years ago well before I was ever diabetic, and they were migraine related. At that time there wasn't the great medication available for them like there is now.. However, I had definte symptoms - I was very cold and shaky and feeling quite ill, and had an insatiable craving for sugar - scoffing the contents of a sugar bowl would help ease them though, and It's only been recently that I've learned what was going on!

Robbity

 

[jaywak]

Does anyone know how high the blood sugar would rise too in a healthy non diabetic, the NICE guideline is it should be between 4-9 but I was wondering if it could go higher as some people are saying it can go lower in non diabetics.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Does anyone know how high the blood sugar would rise too in a healthy non diabetic, the NICE guideline is it should be between 4-9 but I was wondering if it could go higher as some people are saying it can go lower in non diabetics.

My husband is a healthy non-diabetic but has gone higher than 9. In fact he went to 10.2 an hour after eating a very carb laden meal. But healthy non-diabetics return to base quickly, whereas T2s don't.

 

[Lamont D]

Does anyone know how high the blood sugar would rise too in a healthy non diabetic, the NICE guideline is it should be between 4-9 but I was wondering if it could go higher as some people are saying it can go lower in non diabetics.

It is all dependent on how much and how your body reacts to that meal or drink.
It has been well recorded that sugary drinks and glucose drinks, have an effect on teens, and the slump thereafter.