Blood Sugar 195?

by Vera



Question from Vera:


I noticed that my blood sugar yesterday was 195 mg/dL. What should I do in this case?




Quick Answer


Vera, a blood sugar reading of 195 mg/dL is not enough by itself to diagnose diabetes, but it is high enough that you should pay attention to it.


The meaning depends on when you checked it. If it was fasting or before a meal, it is high. If it was 1–2 hours after eating, it may still be above the usual after-meal target for many people with diabetes.


Repeat the test correctly, write down the timing, and ask your doctor for fasting glucose and HbA1c testing if high readings repeat.



Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc


Dear Vera,


A single blood sugar reading of 195 mg/dL needs context. I would not panic from one number, but I also would not ignore it.


First, Ask: When Was It Measured?



  • Fasting: 195 mg/dL is high and needs medical follow-up.

  • Before a meal: 195 mg/dL is also high for most people.

  • 1–2 hours after eating: 195 mg/dL may be above target for many adults with diabetes, depending on your personal goal.

  • Random: 195 mg/dL is close to the diabetes diagnostic range, especially if you have symptoms, so it should be checked again properly.


Helpful page: blood sugar levels by time of day.


Could It Be a False High Reading?


Yes. Sugar on the fingers, unwashed hands, expired strips, a meter problem, or testing soon after sweet food or drinks can give a misleading result.


Wash and dry your hands, use a new strip, and repeat the test. Write down the result, the time, and when you last ate.


Does 195 mg/dL Mean Diabetes?


Not from one reading alone. Diabetes is diagnosed with proper testing, such as fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test, or random plasma glucose with classic symptoms.


If you are not known to have diabetes and your blood sugar is repeatedly high, ask your doctor for lab testing. If you already have diabetes, a reading of 195 may mean your meal plan, medicine, illness plan, or activity plan needs review.


Helpful resource: blood tests for diabetes.


What Should You Do Today?



  • Repeat the test with clean hands.

  • Check whether it was fasting, before meal, after meal, or random.

  • Drink water if you are thirsty, unless your doctor has restricted fluids.

  • Avoid sweet drinks, juice, desserts, and large portions of bread, rice, pasta, or potatoes.

  • Take your prescribed medicines as directed.

  • Call your doctor if readings stay high or symptoms appear.


Helpful page: foods and drinks for diabetes blood sugar control.


What Tests Should You Ask For?



  • Fasting blood glucose

  • HbA1c

  • Oral glucose tolerance test if your doctor recommends it

  • Cholesterol and triglycerides

  • Blood pressure and kidney check if diabetes is suspected


Helpful page: HbA1c explained.


When Should You Call a Doctor?


Call your doctor if your fasting readings are repeatedly above 125 mg/dL, after-meal readings are often high, random readings approach or exceed 200 mg/dL, or you have symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.



Important Safety Note


Seek urgent medical help if high blood sugar comes with vomiting, dehydration, confusion, severe weakness, deep or rapid breathing, fruity-smelling breath, chest pain, trouble breathing, or if your glucose is very high and not coming down.




Doctor’s Note


Vera, one reading of 195 mg/dL is a warning sign, not a diagnosis by itself. The safest next step is to repeat it correctly, note the timing, and confirm with fasting glucose and HbA1c if readings stay high.




Educational safety note: This answer is for general diabetes education only. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not start, stop, or change diabetes medicines, blood pressure medicines, supplements, diet, or exercise plans without speaking with your healthcare provider.



Related Questions



Related Resources



Last reviewed: July 2026.


Comments for Blood Sugar 195?

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Dec 21, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		High numbers blood sugar levels 195I
by: Paul

QUESTION: Hi Dr.

I am writing for my brother in law he has been a type 2 for many many years about a year ago he changed his diet and lost 40 to 50 lbs and he has not take insulin or pills for over a year.

The past few days I checked his blood and just an hour ago it was 195 and he is very dizzy but he starts to feel better about 1/2 hr but it happens a few times a day.


ANSWER: Hello Paul,

Thank you for your trusting the health concern of your brother in law to us.

First, let me know what medications you are taking: apart metformin and insulin?

We should consider too low blood sugar levels.

Next, should keep monitoring his blood pressure and sugar levels, record the results and send to me for reference.

To me, he might be experiencing too low blood sugar levels during the day perhaps from his medications. If confirmed, should consider changing the dosage.

Looking forward to have the requested information in.

Dr.Albana
May 04, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fasting blood sugar 86, after meal 195:198:193
by: aly

QUESTION: My father age 78 he is no sugar found in blood in previous but some few days i observed his fasting sugar level around 86 or plus but after meal (2hrs ) 195:198:193 so its symptoms of diabetes or not

Thanks


Regards



REPLY: Hello Ally,

I read your message carefully and understood your medical problem.

I see your father is 78 years old gentleman not known as a diabetic patient. Recently you observed that his fasting blood glucose level (BGL) was 86 and the postprandial BGL were in the range of 193-198.

His fasting BGL was 86 mg/dl which is normal. It is considered diabetes when this number is over 126 and prediabetes if it is in the 100-125 range.

The postprandial (2 hours after meal BGL) 140-200mg/dl is considered prediabetes but this result does not correspond with the fasting BGL.

On thing is sure, that there is no diabetes in this case. The discussion would be if there is prediabetes or not. The postprandial BGL test number can vary depending the time of the day when the blood is taken for the test and the diet your father had that day.

Also, he may be taking other drugs for other conditions he may have and these drugs may contribute to slightly increasing the blood glucose levels throughout the day.

Your father needs to do the HbA1c test which is considered as the most sensitive test to identify blood sugar troubles as it reflects the blood sugar levels in the last 3 months.

If it over than 6.4%, then, we can say it is diabetes which is unlikely in this case.

If it is 5.7-6.3% than it is prediabetes. If your father results with prediabetes there is nothing to worry about as he can manage it only with diet and regular exercising.

To summarize, I think that the high postprandial BGL may have resulted due the diet or any other external facts like drugs, stress and the diet.

My advice is that you must keep monitoring the blood sugar levels in the following days and if the numbers go higher and especially if accompanied by other symptoms like increased thirst and frequent urination than please contact a doctor and run the HbA1c test.

Hope this was helpful for you.

Thank you.
Dr.Albana
Nov 20, 2016
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by: Dr.Alba

Hi Bilal,

I went through your medical query carefully and understood your concern.

You report to have your blood sugar levels as high as 195 mg/dL after eating. Meanwhile, you also report to be eating lots of dates recently (around 10 pcs per day).

Please take note that blood sugar levels are raised after eating. They can spike to over 300 mg/dl within the first hour, then, turning back to normal range from second hour and on. Normal level of glucose 2 hours after eating should be less than 180 mg/dL.

So, it is important the time when you measured your blood sugar. If it was within the first hour, then, it is perfectly within normal range.

Otherwise, if measured 2 hours or more after eating, then, it might be considered a bit higher than normal range.

However, other confirmatory tests are required to determine if you have pre-diabetes or not: fasting blood glucose and A1C test.

Dates are good source of energy and nutrients, but never should overcome the daily dosage.

However, 10 dates/day are not enough to cause serious problems. You can start by cutting the amount of dates/day, continue eating healthy and do more physical activity.

I'm sure your blood glucose will get back to normal range.

All the best!
Nov 20, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My blood sugar after meal 195
by: Bilal

Sir

My blood sugar after meal is 195. I am not using any medicine for sugar. I am not diabetic. And also i have no any syntums for diabetic.

But I eat Dates more then one month 10 pcs in one day. and I test sugar by chance its high.

Can you Advice me? I am worried.

Thanks

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