And what is my ideal blood sugar?

That depends partly on which blood test is used and when (e.g., before or after a meal). For example, with the fasting blood glucose test, used in diagnosing diabetes, normal blood sugar is below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). With the oral glucose tolerance test, normal blood sugar is below 140 mg/dL two hours after the test begins. For people with diabetes, target levels depend on the individual and the doctor. Many diabetes patients need to check their own blood sugar several times a day with a small gadget called a glucose meter. A blood test called the glycohemoglobin (A1C) test is used to monitor blood sugar control over the past few months. A goal for many diabetic patients is a maximum glycohemoglobin test result of 7 percent. That means that 7 percent of the hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying part of the blood) has glycated (combined) with the glucose in the blood. A glycohemoglobin result of 6 percent translates to an average plasma blood glucose level of 135 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) over the past few months, a glycohemoglobin result of 7 percent translates to 170 mg/dL, a glycohemoglobin of 8 percent translates to 205 mg/dL, and so forth.