Blood Sugar Conversion Calculator

A blood sugar conversion calculator can help you to better manage your blood sugar levels, ensuring that you stay within the normal range to live a healthier life!  

Blood sugar measurements vary based on where you live, with this easy calculator you can plug in your numbers to convert.  In the United States, they tend to use milligram (mg) per deciliter (dL), whereas in Canada they use millimoles (mmol) per litre (L).  

Whether it’s in mg/dL or mmol/L, this calculator is sure to help you.  

What is Blood Sugar?

Blood sugar means the amount of glucose that is in your bloodstream after eating or drinking anything with carbohydrates in it.  The length of time and how you ate/drank will vary by person as to how long your blood sugar stays elevated.

Keeping your blood sugars within the normal range is essential for health, especially if you are someone living with Diabetes.  

Normal blood sugar values during a fasting state are between 4.0 to 6.0 mmol/L, or 72 to 108 mg/dL.  This value is measured either 2 hours before or after a meal.  By this time your blood sugars should have returned to these normal ranges, and the glucose in the bloodstream will be lower.  

If your fasting blood sugar levels are higher than this, you would be considered to have hyperglycemia.  If your levels are lower then you may have hypoglycemia.  With either hyper- or hypoglycemia, you should consult with your doctor to be tested for Diabetes.  

Both are very serious health conditions, so it’s essential to consult with your Doctor.

Glycemia Definition And Measurement

Glycemia refers to the presence and concentration of glucose in the blood. When measuring blood glucose levels, venous blood serum provides the most accurate results, as glucose levels in capillary blood (measured by home glucose meters) can be significantly higher, especially after meals.

There are three key terms to understand when it comes to blood glucose levels:

Hypoglycemia: A condition where blood sugar levels fall below the normal range, typically below 2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) in healthy individuals and 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) in those with diabetes.

Normoglycemia: The normal range for blood glucose, generally between 2.8 and 5.5 mmol/L (50 to 100 mg/dL) for healthy people, and 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L (70 to 100 mg/dL) for those with diabetes.

Hyperglycemia: A state where blood glucose levels are above the normal range, with levels higher than 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) considered hyperglycemic.

Converting Blood Sugars Between mmol/L and mg/dL

Blood sugars are measured in either mmol/L or mg/dL, here is the quick conversion used to change them between.

Millimoles per liter (mmol/L) – the international standard

Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) – the predominant unit in the United States and Europe

The conversion between these units is straightforward:

1 mmol/L = 18.0182 mg/dL.

For example:

A person who has a blood sugar value of 4.0 mmol/L = 70 mg/dL.  This would be considered a normal fasting blood sugar for a healthy person.

To convert the other way, here is another example:

1 mg/dL = 0.055 mmol/L.

A person who has a blood sugar of 190 mg/dL = 10.6 mmol/L.  This would be considered hyperglycemia, and this individual should be tested for Diabetes.

Our advanced blood sugar converter makes it easy to switch between these units. Simply enter your glucose reading, and the calculator will instantly provide the equivalent value in the desired unit.

Blood Sugar Ranges

How Does Our Blood Sugar Converter Work?

Our comprehensive blood sugar converter allows you to easily switch between the two primary units used to measure blood glucose levels – millimoles per liter (mmol/L) and milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

The conversion between these units is straightforward:

1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL

To use the converter, simply follow these steps:

• Enter your blood glucose reading in the input field.
• Select the unit that your reading is currently in – either mmol/L or mg/dL.
• Choose the unit you would like to convert the value to.

The blood sugar conversion calculator will instantly display the equivalent blood sugar level in the desired unit.

For example, if you have a blood glucose reading of 5.5 mmol/L and want to know the equivalent in mg/dL, you would enter “5.5” in the input field, select “mmol/L” as the current unit, and choose “mg/dL” as the target unit. The converter will then show that 5.5 mmol/L is equal to 99 mg/dL.

This simple conversion can be extremely helpful, as different regions and healthcare systems may use either mmol/L or mg/dL to report blood sugar results. Having the ability to quickly convert between the two units ensures you can accurately interpret your glucose readings, regardless of the format provided.

By using our blood sugar converter, you can take the guesswork out of unit conversions and focus on maintaining healthy blood glucose levels through a balanced lifestyle and medical management, if needed.

Health Consequences of Hyper- and Hypoglycemic

Managing blood sugars is very important, especially if you are someone living with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.  Having chronic hyperglycemia can put you at increased risk of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Cardiovascular issues
• Nephropathy
• Kidney failure
• Eye damage
• Peripheral artery disease
• Amputations

Ensuring that you keep your blood sugars in a healthy range can help to prevent these health issues from occurring.  

8 Proven Strategies to Keep Your Blood Sugar in the Optimal Range

You can help to keep your blood sugars in the normal range by adopting some of these healthy habits in your life:

• Regular physical activity: Engage in Regular Physical Activity Consistent physical exercise is one of the most effective ways to help regulate blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, per week. Even small bursts of activity throughout the day can make a significant difference. Exercise helps to improve insulin sensitivity and facilitate the uptake of glucose by your body’s cells.

• Eating high fibre foods: Prioritize High-Fiber Foods Incorporating high-fiber foods into your diet can slow the absorption of carbohydrates and prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar. Focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, and nuts. The fiber in these foods helps to regulate digestion and maintain more stable glucose levels.

• Eating 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables: Consume 6-8 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Daily Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and blood sugar management. Aim to fill half your plate with a variety of colorful produce at each meal. The fiber, complex carbs, and plant-based nutrients in fruits and veggies can help blunt the impact of other carbohydrates you consume.

• Eating whole grain foods: Choose Whole Grains over Refined Carbs Opt for whole grain breads, pasta, rice, and cereals instead of their refined counterparts. Whole grains are digested more slowly, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. The extra fiber and nutrients in whole grains also contribute to better glucose control.

• Eating beans, legumes, and nuts: Include Beans, Legumes, and Nuts Adding beans, lentils, chickpeas, and nuts to your diet can help stabilize blood sugar. These foods are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which work together to slow the absorption of carbohydrates. This can lead to more gradual, controlled increases in blood glucose.

• Regularly monitoring your blood sugars: Checking your blood sugar levels on a regular basis, whether through a home glucose meter or with your healthcare provider, allows you to identify patterns and trends. This empowers you to make timely adjustments to your diet, physical activity, and medication (if applicable) to maintain healthy blood sugar control. 

• Getting adequate, regular sleep each night: Prioritize Quality Sleep Lack of quality sleep can disrupt the hormones that regulate blood sugar, leading to insulin resistance and higher glucose levels. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night to support healthy blood sugar management.

• Cutting out added sugars in drinks and foods: Limit Added Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates Cutting back on added sugars found in sodas, baked goods, and processed foods can help prevent sharp increases in blood glucose levels. Instead, focus on getting natural sugars from whole, fiber-rich carbohydrate sources like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

As a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience, I’ve put together my best tips and tricks to maintain blood sugar with this diet and the top foods to include. If you’re struggling with keeping your blood sugars in a normal range, it would be good to meet with a nearby Doctor and a Registered Dietitian to come up with a healthy plan to meet your needs.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/index.html

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