Blood glucose, often referred to as blood sugar, is the primary sugar found in your blood and serves as the body’s main source of energy. Maintaining stable blood glucose levels is important for overall health, particularly for individuals managing or at risk of diabetes. Monitoring these levels provides important information about how the body processes glucose throughout the day and night.
Understanding AC and HS Blood Glucose
In the context of blood glucose monitoring, “AC” and “HS” are abbreviations from Latin that specify when measurements should be taken. “AC” stands for ante cibum, which translates to “before meals”. This means blood glucose is checked before breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“HS” stands for hora somni, meaning “at bedtime”. This measurement is taken before sleep. These timings provide a clear picture of how blood sugar levels fluctuate in relation to food intake and sleep cycles.
Why Timing Matters for Blood Glucose Readings
Testing blood glucose “AC” provides a baseline measurement of glucose levels before food consumption influences them. This pre-meal reading reflects the body’s fasting or resting glucose state, indicating how well the body manages glucose without recent dietary input. For those on insulin, this reading helps determine the appropriate dose to cover the upcoming meal.
The “HS” reading is valuable for assessing overnight glucose control and identifying potential issues during sleep. This measurement helps detect nocturnal hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, or morning hyperglycemia, high blood sugar upon waking. Monitoring bedtime glucose also helps understand how the body’s metabolic system functions during rest, impacting sleep quality and overall health.
Interpreting Your AC and HS Results
For individuals without diabetes, a normal fasting blood glucose level (which is an AC reading before breakfast) is between 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L). A bedtime (HS) blood glucose level for non-diabetics should remain below 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L), with an optimal range of 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L).
For individuals with diabetes, target ranges can vary but aim for 80 to 130 mg/dL (4 to 7 mmol/L) before meals (AC). Consistently high readings could suggest hyperglycemia, while consistently low readings might indicate hypoglycemia. These readings are part of a broader health assessment. Any interpretation or adjustments to management plans should always be discussed with a healthcare provider.