3.5 is not too bad, but can make you feel a little dizzy/tired etc. For me, I have a normal (not pregnant) fasting level that is considered glucose impaired so readings below 4 for me give me hypoglycaemic symptoms.

At what stage after a meal are you getting readings of 8??

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is your waking (fasting) bsl??

For me, who is being very strictly monitored, my waking bsl has to be below 5, but that's just what my specialist wants and is not necessarily the norm.