Blood Sugar Level 113 mg/dL: What It Means

A blood sugar level of 113 mg/dL (6.3 mmol/L) is considered normal if measured after eating, but falls into the prediabetic range if measured after fasting. For fasting blood glucose, the normal range is 70-99 mg/dL, with 100-125 mg/dL indicating prediabetes. While not yet diabetic, a fasting level of 113 mg/dL suggests your body may be developing insulin resistance and warrants lifestyle modifications to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.

Understanding Blood Sugar Measurements

Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is a crucial health marker that indicates how efficiently your body processes and uses glucose for energy. Before interpreting a reading of 113 mg/dL, it's important to understand how blood sugar is measured and what different ranges mean.

Blood Glucose Measurement Units

Blood glucose is typically measured in one of two units:

  • Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL): Used primarily in the United States and some other countries
  • Millimoles per liter (mmol/L): Used in most other countries and in scientific research

For reference: 113 mg/dL = 6.3 mmol/L

Blood Glucose Unit Converter

mg/dL
=
6.3 mmol/L

Types of Blood Sugar Tests

The context of when a blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL was taken significantly affects its interpretation:

Test Type When It's Measured Normal Range Is 113 mg/dL Normal?
Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) After at least 8 hours without food or drink (except water) 70-99 mg/dL (3.9-5.5 mmol/L) Above normal (prediabetic range)
Postprandial Blood Glucose 2 hours after beginning a meal Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) Normal
Random Blood Glucose At any time, regardless of when you last ate Generally below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) Normal
Hemoglobin A1C N/A (measures average blood sugar over 2-3 months) Below 5.7% A1C equivalent of constant 113 mg/dL would be approximately 5.4% (normal)

Interpreting a Blood Sugar Level of 113 mg/dL

Now that we understand how blood sugar is measured, let's examine what a reading of 113 mg/dL means in different contexts and for different people.

Fasting Blood Sugar of 113 mg/dL

When measured after at least 8 hours of fasting, a blood glucose level of 113 mg/dL falls into the prediabetic range (100-125 mg/dL). This means:

  • Your body is showing signs of insulin resistance
  • Your cells aren't responding as effectively to insulin
  • Your pancreas needs to produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar
  • You have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future
  • You also have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke

While concerning, prediabetes is reversible with appropriate lifestyle changes. It serves as an important warning sign that gives you the opportunity to prevent progression to diabetes.

Postprandial (After Eating) Blood Sugar of 113 mg/dL

If measured 2 hours after eating, a blood glucose level of 113 mg/dL is considered entirely normal. A healthy person's blood sugar will naturally rise after consuming food, especially carbohydrates, and should return to normal levels within 2-3 hours.

For context:

  • Normal postprandial (2 hours after eating): Less than 140 mg/dL
  • Prediabetic postprandial: 140-199 mg/dL
  • Diabetic postprandial: 200 mg/dL or higher

A postprandial reading of 113 mg/dL indicates good glucose control and insulin sensitivity.

Blood Sugar of 113 mg/dL in Different Populations

The interpretation of a 113 mg/dL blood glucose reading can vary slightly based on individual factors:

For Adults Without Diabetes

  • Fasting: Indicates prediabetes (100-125 mg/dL range)
  • After meals: Normal
  • Requires lifestyle modifications if fasting
  • Should be monitored periodically

For People with Diabetes

  • Fasting: Excellent control (target often 80-130 mg/dL)
  • After meals: Excellent control (target often below 180 mg/dL)
  • Indicates effective management through medication, diet, and exercise
  • Should be maintained with current treatment plan

For Pregnant Women

  • Fasting: Slightly elevated (target typically below 95 mg/dL)
  • After meals: Normal (target typically below 140 mg/dL at 1 hour)
  • Should be discussed with healthcare provider
  • May require monitoring for gestational diabetes

For Older Adults

  • May have slightly higher acceptable targets
  • 113 mg/dL typically considered good control
  • Less aggressive management often recommended
  • Focus on quality of life and avoiding hypoglycemia

Understanding Prediabetes

Since a fasting blood sugar of 113 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, it's important to understand what this condition means for your health.

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. It serves as a warning sign that your body's ability to regulate blood sugar is compromised.

Key Facts About Prediabetes

  • Prevalence: According to the CDC, approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes
  • Awareness: More than 80% of people with prediabetes don't know they have it
  • Progression: Without intervention, 15-30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years
  • Reversibility: Prediabetes can often be reversed through lifestyle modifications
  • Associated Risks: Beyond diabetes risk, prediabetes is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and cognitive impairment

How Prediabetes Develops

Understanding how prediabetes develops can help motivate the lifestyle changes needed to reverse it:

  1. Normal Function: In a healthy person, the pancreas produces insulin when blood sugar rises
  2. Early Resistance: Over time, cells can become less responsive to insulin (insulin resistance), often due to excess weight, inactivity, and genetics
  3. Compensation: The pancreas works harder and produces more insulin to overcome this resistance
  4. Prediabetes Stage: Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the demand, and blood sugar levels begin to rise above normal but below diabetic levels
  5. Progressive Decline: Without intervention, beta cells in the pancreas may begin to fail, leading to further blood sugar elevation and progression to type 2 diabetes

Important Health Note

While this article provides general information about blood sugar levels, individual health situations vary. A blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL should be discussed with your healthcare provider, especially if it's a fasting result. They can provide personalized advice based on your overall health, risk factors, and medical history.

How to Improve a Fasting Blood Sugar of 113 mg/dL

If you have a fasting blood sugar level of 113 mg/dL, evidence-based lifestyle modifications can help bring it back into the normal range and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Dietary Changes

What you eat has a significant impact on your blood sugar levels:

  • Reduce Simple Carbohydrates: Limit intake of refined sugars, white bread, white rice, and processed foods
  • Choose Complex Carbohydrates: Opt for whole grains, legumes, and vegetables that contain fiber, which slows glucose absorption
  • Increase Fiber Intake: Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber daily from sources like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains
  • Focus on Lean Proteins: Include fish, poultry, tofu, legumes, and low-fat dairy
  • Include Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources like olive oil, avocados, nuts, and fatty fish
  • Practice Portion Control: Even healthy foods can raise blood sugar if consumed in large quantities
  • Consider Meal Timing: Some research suggests spreading food intake throughout the day with smaller, regular meals can help maintain stable blood sugar levels

Physical Activity Recommendations

Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity and helps lower blood glucose:

  • Aerobic Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly (e.g., brisk walking, swimming, cycling)
  • Resistance Training: Include strength exercises at least 2-3 times per week to build muscle, which helps improve glucose metabolism
  • Break Up Sitting Time: Even brief activity breaks during prolonged sitting can help improve blood sugar control
  • Find Activities You Enjoy: Sustainable exercise routines are those that you find pleasurable and can maintain long-term
  • Increase Daily Movement: Simple changes like taking stairs, parking farther away, or walking during lunch breaks all contribute to better glucose control

Weight Management

If you're overweight, even modest weight loss can significantly improve blood sugar levels:

  • Target: Losing just 5-7% of your body weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by up to 58% in people with prediabetes
  • Sustainable Approach: Focus on gradual, sustainable weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week
  • Maintenance: Developing habits that you can maintain long-term is more important than rapid weight loss
  • Body Composition: Building muscle while losing fat can be particularly beneficial for blood sugar control

Other Lifestyle Factors

Several other lifestyle elements play important roles in blood sugar regulation:

  • Stress Management: Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can increase blood sugar. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation practices can help
  • Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep. Poor sleep can worsen insulin resistance and increase hunger hormones
  • Hydration: Staying well-hydrated helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar through urine
  • Limit Alcohol: Excessive alcohol can interfere with liver function and glucose regulation
  • Avoid Smoking: Smoking increases insulin resistance and diabetes risk

Tracking and Monitoring

Keeping track of your progress can provide motivation and valuable feedback:

  • Regular Testing: If recommended by your healthcare provider, monitoring your blood sugar can help you understand how different foods and activities affect your levels
  • Food Journal: Tracking what you eat can help identify patterns and trigger foods that may cause blood sugar spikes
  • Regular Check-ups: Follow up with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed
  • A1C Testing: This test provides insight into your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months

When to Consult a Healthcare Provider

While a single blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL provides valuable information, it should be interpreted within the context of your overall health. Here's when you should consult with a healthcare provider:

Seek Medical Advice If:

  • You have a fasting blood sugar of 113 mg/dL or higher on multiple occasions
  • You're experiencing symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or extreme fatigue
  • You have risk factors for diabetes such as family history, overweight/obesity, or sedentary lifestyle
  • You're over 45 years old, as diabetes risk increases with age
  • You have other health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease
  • You're pregnant or planning to become pregnant (as gestational diabetes risk assessment may be needed)
  • You've previously been diagnosed with prediabetes and need guidance on management

What to Expect at Your Appointment

When you discuss a blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL with your healthcare provider, they may:

  • Order additional tests to confirm the reading and assess your overall metabolic health
  • Calculate your BMI and evaluate other risk factors
  • Recommend an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to see how your body responds to glucose
  • Order an A1C test to determine your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months
  • Check for complications or related conditions
  • Develop a personalized plan based on your specific health profile
  • Discuss whether medication might be appropriate in addition to lifestyle changes
  • Set up a monitoring schedule to track your progress

Potential Treatment Approaches

Based on your overall health assessment, your healthcare provider might recommend:

  • Lifestyle Modifications: For most people with a blood sugar of 113 mg/dL, dietary changes, increased physical activity, and weight management are the first-line approach
  • Diabetes Prevention Program: Structured programs that provide support and education on lifestyle changes proven to reduce diabetes risk
  • Referral to Specialists: You might be referred to a dietitian, certified diabetes educator, or exercise physiologist for specialized guidance
  • Medication: In some cases, especially if you have multiple risk factors or other health concerns, medications like metformin might be prescribed
  • Regular Monitoring: A schedule for follow-up testing to track your blood sugar trends over time

Frequently Asked Questions

Can stress cause a blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL?

Yes, stress can temporarily raise your blood sugar to levels like 113 mg/dL. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that trigger your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream. This "fight or flight" response is designed to provide energy in dangerous situations, but in modern life, chronic stress can lead to consistently elevated blood sugar levels. If you had a blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL during a stressful period, it might be higher than your typical level. However, if you consistently see readings around 113 mg/dL when fasting, even without stress, it suggests prediabetes that requires attention regardless of stress levels. Managing stress through techniques like meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can help improve both your stress levels and blood sugar control.

Is blood sugar of 113 mg/dL dangerous during pregnancy?

A blood sugar level of 113 mg/dL during pregnancy requires attention but isn't immediately dangerous. For pregnant women, fasting blood sugar should ideally be below 95 mg/dL, so a fasting level of 113 mg/dL would be considered elevated. This could potentially indicate gestational diabetes, which affects 2-10% of pregnancies annually. If measured after eating, 113 mg/dL is generally acceptable as postprandial targets are typically below 140 mg/dL at one hour or 120 mg/dL at two hours after meals. Untreated high blood sugar during pregnancy can increase risks for both mother and baby, including excessive birth weight, premature birth, and potential breathing problems for the baby. Any pregnant woman with a blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL should consult her healthcare provider promptly for proper evaluation, which may include a glucose tolerance test to diagnose gestational diabetes.

How quickly can I lower my blood sugar from 113 mg/dL to normal range?

The time required to lower a fasting blood sugar from 113 mg/dL to the normal range (below 100 mg/dL) varies significantly based on individual factors. Many people can see meaningful improvements within 2-4 weeks of implementing consistent lifestyle changes. Research from the Diabetes Prevention Program shows that intensive lifestyle modifications can reduce blood sugar into normal ranges for many participants within 6 months. Key factors affecting your timeline include: initial degree of insulin resistance, consistency of lifestyle changes, amount of weight loss achieved (if needed), genetic factors, age, and presence of other health conditions. For most people, a combination of regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes weekly), dietary changes (reducing refined carbohydrates and increasing fiber), and modest weight loss (5-7% of body weight if overweight) represents the most effective approach. Rather than focusing solely on how quickly you can lower your blood sugar, aim for sustainable lifestyle changes that will maintain healthy blood glucose levels long-term.

Does a blood sugar level of 113 mg/dL mean I need medication?

A single fasting blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL typically doesn't require medication as the first approach. This level falls within the prediabetic range (100-125 mg/dL), and clinical guidelines generally recommend lifestyle modifications as the initial treatment strategy for prediabetes. Lifestyle changes including dietary improvements, regular physical activity, and weight loss if needed are often sufficient to bring blood sugar levels back to normal range. However, medication might be considered if: you have multiple unsuccessful attempts at lifestyle modification, your blood sugar continues to rise despite lifestyle changes, you have additional risk factors (family history, cardiovascular disease, etc.), or you have progressed to diabetes (fasting blood sugar ≥126 mg/dL on multiple tests). Metformin is the most commonly prescribed medication for prediabetes in high-risk individuals. The decision about medication should always be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, who will consider your complete health profile.

How does age affect the interpretation of a 113 mg/dL blood sugar reading?

Age does influence how healthcare providers interpret a blood sugar reading of 113 mg/dL, though the official diagnostic thresholds remain the same across adult age groups. For younger adults (under 45), a fasting level of 113 mg/dL might prompt more aggressive intervention because: early-onset prediabetes often indicates stronger genetic predisposition, they have more years ahead for potential diabetes progression, and early intervention can prevent decades of complications. For older adults (typically over 65), healthcare providers may be less concerned about a reading of 113 mg/dL because: some natural decline in glucose tolerance occurs with aging, the risks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) increase with age and can be more dangerous than slightly elevated levels, and quality of life considerations may outweigh aggressive treatment of borderline values. The American Diabetes Association recognizes that less stringent glycemic goals may be appropriate for older adults, particularly those with limited life expectancy or extensive comorbid conditions. However, lifestyle modifications to improve blood sugar control are beneficial at any age.