Question:
Male, 23 years old, unknown subtype
I have PWS. I’m 23, 5’7″. I do not have diabetes, but my grandfather and dad do. I was wondering what my blood sugar should be every day. I just got a glucose monitor so I want to make sure I’m doing good. I do workout every single day in the gym with my trainer and also doing additional cardio. I weigh right now in the 150s. If you can let me know I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Nurse Lynn’s Response:
It’s great to hear how active you are and that you’re paying close attention to your health. Since you do not have diabetes, your blood sugar targets are the same as for most healthy adults. In general, here’s what’s considered normal:
- *Before eating (fasting or more than 8 hours after food): about 70–99 mg/dL
- *About 2 hours after eating: usually less than 140 mg/dL
- *Anytime during the day: typically, between 70–140 mg/dL
Blood sugar can go a little higher or lower for short periods, but if it’s often outside these ranges, it’s a good idea to tell your doctor.
Since you have family members with diabetes, it’s smart to watch your numbers over time and keep up your healthy habits—regular workouts, balanced meals, and enough sleep all help your body keep blood sugar steady.
You’re already doing so much right. Keep tracking your numbers and share them with your doctor at checkups so you can make sure you’re staying on track.
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Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.