BLOOD SUGAR RATE

What is a blood glucose test?

A blood glucose test is a blood test that determines the presence of diabetes by measuring the level of glucose (sugar) in a person's blood Normal Blood Sugar

Who is most at risk of developing diabetes?

The following groups of people are considered "high-risk" candidates for developing diabetes:

Individuals who are overweight or obese
Individuals who are 45 years of age or older
Individuals with a first-degree relative with diabetes (such as a parent, child, or sibling)
Women who developed diabetes during pregnancy or who gave birth to a baby weighing 4 kg or more
Individuals with high blood pressure (140/90 or higher)
Individuals with a high-density lipoprotein level below 25 mg/dL or a triglyceride level of 260 mg/dL or higher
Individuals who have impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance
Individuals who are physically inactive; exercising less than three times a week
People who have polycystic ovary syndrome
People who have acanthosis nigricans - dark, thick, velvety skin around the neck or armpits

In addition to testing the high-risk individuals mentioned above, the American Diabetes Association also recommends that everyone over the age of 45 be tested.

TEST DETAILS

Blood Sugar Levels

How can I tell if I have diabetes by testing my blood?

Your body converts sugar, also called glucose, into energy so your body can function. Sugar comes from the food you eat and is released from your body’s own tissues.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Its job is to move glucose from your bloodstream into your tissue cells. After you eat, your blood glucose levels rise sharply. The pancreas responds by releasing enough insulin to deal with the increased glucose levels, moving the glucose from your blood into your cells. This helps to return your blood glucose levels to their previous, lower levels.

If a person has diabetes, two things can cause high blood sugar levels:

The pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin
The insulin doesn’t work properly

Either of these things results in high blood sugar levels, which is called hyperglycemia or diabetes mellitus. If left undiagnosed and untreated, damage can occur to your eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Testing your blood glucose level lets you and your doctor know if you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes.

Much less commonly, the opposite can happen. Too low blood sugar, a condition called hypoglycemia, can be caused by having too much insulin or by other hormonal disorders or liver disease.

How do I prepare for a plasma glucose test and how are the results interpreted?

To get an accurate plasma glucose level, you must fast (not eat or drink anything except water) for at least 8 hours before the test. When you go to the clinic or laboratory, a small sample of blood will be taken from a vein in your arm. According to the American Diabetes Association's practice guidelines, blood test results are interpreted as follows:

Fasting blood glucose level

If your blood glucose level is 70-99* mg/dL (3.9-5.5 mmol/L). . .
What it means: Your glucose level is within the normal range
If your blood glucose level is 100-125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L). . .
What it means: You have low fasting glucose (prediabetes**). . .
If your blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher on more than one test
What it means: You have diabetes
* Values between 50 and 70 are common in healthy people Normal Blood Sugar
**Prediabetes puts you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and blood lipid disorders.