Blood glucose 310 mg/dL — what does it mean?
- Without diabetes, fastingDiabetes range
- Without diabetes, 2 h after eatingDiabetes range
- With diabetes, before a mealVery high
- With diabetes, after a mealVery high
- In mmol/L17.2 mmol/L
Get medical advice now
- Check ketones if you use insulin. Moderate or high ketones, vomiting, abdominal pain, deep fast breathing or fruity-smelling breath can mean diabetic ketoacidosis — call 911 (US) or your local emergency number or go to the emergency room.
- Very high readings (especially above 600 mg/dL, often shown as "HI") with extreme thirst, confusion or drowsiness can mean hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state — an emergency.
- Otherwise contact your care team today and re-check every 2–3 hours.
If you don't have diabetes
310 mg/dL is in the diabetes range whether fasting or after a meal. A random reading of 200 mg/dL or more together with typical symptoms (thirst, frequent urination, weight loss) is enough for a diagnosis — see a doctor soon, today.
Fasting (8+ hours without food)
Diabetes range2 hours after eating (or glucose tolerance test)
Diabetes rangeIf you have diabetes
310 mg/dL is very high. Check ketones if you use insulin, and contact your care team if it stays above 300 mg/dL or you feel unwell.
Before a meal / fasting
Very high1–2 hours after a meal
Very highTargets for most non-pregnant adults (American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care). Your own targets may be different — for example in pregnancy, for children, older adults or people prone to lows. See pregnancy targets.
310 mg/dL as an average: HbA1c 12.4%
If 310 mg/dL were your average glucose over two to three months, it would match an HbA1c of about 12.4% (above the common treatment goal of below 7%). A single reading says little about your HbA1c — it is the long-term average that counts. Learn more in how to measure blood sugar.
Make sure the number is right
- Wash and dry your hands before a finger-stick: fruit juice or sugar on the skin can raise the result a lot.
- Home meters may differ from a lab value by up to about 15%. At 310 mg/dL that means roughly 264–357 mg/dL.
- CGM sensors measure tissue fluid and lag 5–15 minutes behind blood when glucose changes quickly — confirm lows with a finger-stick.
Check another reading
Nearby values
This page explains one reading in general terms. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment instruction. Follow the plan agreed with your doctor or diabetes team.