BloodGlucoseValueUnderstand every reading

Blood glucose 63 mg/dL — what does it mean?

63mg/dL3.5 mmol/L
  • Without diabetes, fastingBelow normal
  • Without diabetes, 2 h after eatingBelow normal
  • With diabetes, before a mealLevel 1 hypoglycemia
  • With diabetes, after a mealLevel 1 hypoglycemia
  • In mmol/L3.5 mmol/L

Use the 15-15 rule

  • Take 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate (4 glucose tablets, ½ cup of juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar).
  • Re-check after 15 minutes and repeat if still below 70 mg/dL.
  • Then eat a snack or your next meal. Do not drive until you are back above 70 and feel normal.

If you don't have diabetes

63 mg/dL is below the normal range. Mild dips can follow intense exercise, a long gap between meals or a high-carb meal (reactive hypoglycemia). Eat something, re-check, and mention repeated lows to your doctor.

Fasting (8+ hours without food)

Below normalScale with 63 mg/dL marked5510012663 mg/dL

2 hours after eating (or glucose tolerance test)

Below normalScale with 63 mg/dL marked5514020063 mg/dL

If you have diabetes

63 mg/dL is level 1 hypoglycemia (54–69 mg/dL). Treat it now with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and re-check after 15 minutes.

Before a meal / fasting

Level 1 hypoglycemiaScale with 63 mg/dL marked548013118124130063 mg/dL

1–2 hours after a meal

Level 1 hypoglycemiaScale with 63 mg/dL marked5418024130063 mg/dL

Targets 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.

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 63 mg/dL that means roughly 54–72 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.