Fasting Blood Sugar of 115: Should You Be Worried?

Most healthcare providers will have you repeat your test if it comes back above the normal range the first time. If your next fasting blood glucose result is in the prediabetes range again, it may be time to look at solutions like the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP). 

Is a Fasting Blood Sugar of 115 or 118 Considered Prediabetes?

The 2026 Standards of Care from the ADA list blood sugar levels and their corresponding categories. 

Fasting blood sugar is important because it shows how your body is controlling blood sugar without the influence of a recent meal. Your liver and your insulin have a major effect on fasting blood sugar.

According to the ADA, fasting blood sugar under 100 mg/dl is in the “normal” range. The range for “diabetes” is 126 mg/dl and above. Everything in between is in the prediabetes range: higher than normal and lower than diabetes. 

For seniors with fasting blood sugar 118, your healthcare provider is likely to focus on preventing or slowing the progression out of the prediabetes range to a diagnosis of diabetes. 

Blood Sugar 120 Fasting: Is That Bad for Seniors?

Blood sugar 120 fasting: is that bad? What should fasting blood sugar for seniors be? 

Fasting blood sugar 100-125 mg/dl is in the prediabetes range, but it’s actually common for fasting blood sugar for seniors to be in this range. In fact, the National Diabetes Statistics Report shows that 52.1% of adults over age 65 - over half of seniors - are in this range. 

In addition, what puts you ahead of most others is that you know your fasting blood sugar level. In contrast, only 1 in 5 people with prediabetes are aware that they have. The good news is that if you have a diagnosis of prediabetes, you have the ability to take action. 

A fasting blood sugar of 120 isn’t considered diabetes, but it’s at the high end of prediabetes. It’s still in a range where lifestyle changes can be highly effective, especially in older adults. It’s a good time to ask your healthcare provider what your glycemic (blood sugar) targets are, since the ADA says they should be individualized. 

Why Fasting Glucose Can Rise as You Age

When you learn about high fasting glucose, it’s natural to wonder why it is happening. High blood sugar happens when your body develops insulin resistance, or is less sensitive to the effects of insulin. Insulin is the hormone in your body that helps lower blood sugar and get sugar into the cells of your body. 

Many factors can contribute to high fasting glucose. Extra body weight, eating a diet that’s high in processed foods and components like sugars, refined starches, and saturated fats, not having lots of fiber and nutrient-dense foods, and being physically inactive can all contribute to insulin resistance.

In seniors in particular, these are some high fasting glucose causes.

• Loss of muscle mass, or sarcopenia. A decrease in muscle mass is normal with aging. 
• Hormonal shifts. Shifts in hormones after 60 can increase insulin resistance. 
• Dawn phenomenon. This can cause higher blood sugar in the morning - which is when you may have gotten your blood drawn for your fasting blood glucose test.

Even with aging, it’s still possible to support healthier blood sugar levels with small changes. 

How to Lower a Fasting Glucose of 115 or 120 Naturally

With a fasting blood sugar 115, lifestyle choices can make a big difference. Compared to dramatic changes or short-term crash diets, changes that you make consistently can be more effective in the long run. 

Here is how to lower fasting blood sugar according to information from the American Diabetes Association.

Category	Practical Examples
Small Weight Loss Shifts	Swap soda for flavored water, track portion sizes, or aim to lose just 5% of your current body weight.
Strategic Physical Activity	Take a 10-minute walk right after dinner, break up long periods of sitting, and try light strength training twice a week.
Nutritional Upgrades	Choose high-fiber foods, swap refined grains for whole grains, and opt for lean or plant-based proteins instead of fatty meats.
Sleep Optimization	Maintain a consistent bedtime, build a relaxing evening routine, and aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep each night.
Active Stress Management	Your Medicare Benefit: The MDPP Advantage If you just discovered your fasting blood sugar is 115 mg/dL, you don’t have to navigate this health journey alone. Medicare offers a specialized benefit designed exactly for this situation: the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP). It’s structured specifically to help older adults succeed without feeling overwhelmed.  The program uses a proven, gradual support model: 22 Behavioral Sessions: Distributed over the course of a full year, these sessions focus on realistic weight loss, stress management, and long-term habit changes. Flexible Learning Options: In 2026, the program includes expanded online options, allowing you to access lessons and connect with coaches from the comfort of your own home.  Catching your blood sugar at 115 mg/dL is an incredible opportunity. By taking advantage of this Medicare-covered benefit today, you can get the tools and community support you need to turn your numbers around and protect your long-term independence. See If You Qualify at No Cost to You Lark's Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program offers personal health coaching delivered right to your phone - built around the same CDC-recognized program that showed a 71% risk reduction in adults over 60. There is no cost to eligible Medicare members.  Lark can help you stay on track with your weight and health goals as you log, track, and chat. Your Lark coach is available 24/7 for encouragement, nutrition and physical activity coaching, and habit tracking. Lark can help you make healthy choices and establish habits that fit into your lifestyle so you can lose weight and keep it off with or without GLP-1 medications.  Click here to see if you may be eligible to join Lark MDPP or another Lark program today! ‍ Download White PaperDownload PDFDownload White PaperDownload ResourceWatch the VideoView Article Calorie and nutrient information in meal plans and recipes are approximations. Please verify for accuracy. Please also verify information on ingredients, special diets, and allergens. About Lark Lark helps you eat better, move more, stress less, and improve your overall wellness. Lark’s digital coach is available 24/7 on your smartphone to give you personalized tips, recommendations, and motivation to lose weight and prevent chronic conditions like diabetes. Check my eligibility Get healthier with Lark & earn a Fitbit® Lose weight, get more active, and eat better. take 1-minute survey See if Ozempic® is covered by insurance Curb cravings and reach your weight loss goals! AM I ELIGIBLE? Take the 1-minute quiz Reach your health goals with Lark at no cost to you! Get started Partner with Lark today Get in touch with the Lark team for a product demo and more information about partnerships. get in touch Watch the webinar today Hear from Lark team members and other experts and thought leaders in the health tech space. Read the article sign up for lark Get healthy tips from Lark’s digital  coach Lark offers 24/7 health coaching from your smartphone. Take a short quiz to see if Lark is covered by your insurance. get started 7 Healthy Recipes for January Weight Loss 5 Healthy Holiday Party Recipes for Weight Loss Best Prediabetes Meal Plan With Recipes 11 Healthy Food Swaps for Your Favorite Snacks You have the power to make healthy changes Sign up to receive more information from Lark, and how it might be right for you. Thank you! Your submission has been received! Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. By subscribing, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from Lark, and agreeing to Lark's Privacy Policy. Lark offers digital coaching and smart devices Take the 1-minute quiz to see if Lark is right for you Enter your insurance information to see if Lark is covered by your provider Download the Lark app and start building healthy habits! get started 1 in 3 people are at risk for diabetes–Lark can help Grab your insurance card and take a short quiz to see if you can get Lark digital coaching and smart devices at no cost to you. Take the quiz REcommended content More About Lark How Lark Works to Bring Together Each Part of Your Weight Loss Journey Lark is covered by many insurance plans Lark offers digital health coaching and smart devices, and can help you reach your health goals. Grab your insurance card and see if you can get Lark at no cost to you today! TAke the quiz COVERED BY INSURANCe*! Get healthy and lose weight with Lark Curious about owning a smart scale and a Fitbit® at no expense? Complete our survey to see if you're eligible. *T&C's apply. Lark eligibility check MANY INSURANCE PLANS accepted Is weight loss medication right for you? Skip the drive and chat with a telehealth provider to find out. AM I ELIGIBLE? Recommended Is Lark covered by my insurance? Am I Prediabetic? 7 Signs Adults Over 65 Should Watch For Diabetes Prevention Programs Through Medicare at No Cost to You: What's Available in 2026 What Is the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP)? Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes? Take the survey to see if you qualify for Lark's Diabetes Prevention Program through your health plan! Check My Eligibility Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes? Take the survey to see if you qualify for Lark's Diabetes Prevention Program through your health plan! Check My Eligibility Similar posts Blog Article / 12 min Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program: A Complete Guide for 2026 Lower your prediabetes risk with the 100% covered Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP). Get 24/7 virtual coaching, meal tracking, and health tools with Lark. Check your eligibility today! Learn more Blog Article / 8 min Am I Prediabetic? 7 Signs Adults Over 65 Should Watch For Wondering "am I prediabetic?" Prediabetes symptoms are often silent. Learn key blood sugar risk factors for adults 65+ and see if you qualify for Lark's $0 Medicare DPP! Learn more Blog Article / 8 min Diabetes Prevention Programs Through Medicare at No Cost to You: What's Available in 2026 Over half of seniors have prediabetes. Learn how the free Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) can help lower blood sugar, and check your eligibility for Lark's online app today! Learn more Download We are glad you're interested! Please provide a little more information before downloading this document. Comments Thanks, your message has been sent! Download PDF Error! Please try again. Download We are glad you're interested! Please provide a little more information before accessing this resource. Comments Thanks, your message has been sent! Download PDF Error! Please try again.