These days blood sugar test or blood glucose test is a frequent and convenient procedure done for people who are suspected to have diabetes or individuals who are at a high risk of having this disease. Once diagnosed with diabetes, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is of utmost importance.
Remember that the level of glucose on the blood cannot be determined based on symptoms alone, that is why a reliable way to measure blood glucose is necessary. Normally, when we consume food, especially those high in sugar and carbohydrates, the body keeps the sugar balance through the action of the hormone insulin.
Insulin, from the pancreas, works to lower blood sugar levels. However, among diabetic people, they both have very poor insulin production (Type 1) or resistance to the effects of insulin (Type 2). So when tested, what is the regular blood glucose level? Actually, rather than just a normal value, there is a normal range. The appropriate range is also different for the different methods of measuring blood glucose levels.
There are presently various tests for measuring blood sugar. One example is the fasting blood sugar test, wherein the patient needs to have no food consumption for at least 8 hours prior to taking a blood sample for evaluation. results should range from 70-99 mg/dL to be considered normal.
A value ranging from 100-125 mg/dL is named impaired fasting glucose which indicates the patient has a high likelihood of having diabetes in the future. If on at least two events, the results are higher than or equal to 126 mg/dL, the patient is identified with diabetes mellitus. There is one more test called random blood sugar test that can be used whenever regardless of the last food consumption. This time the goal value need to be below 200 mg/dL.
If above that value, and in the presence of signs, diabetes mellitus is the diagnosis. Pre-diabetes may also be detected if the random blood sugar value is from 140-199 mg/dL. A blood test called oral glucose tolerance test wherein a patient is requested to drink a solution including 75mg of sugar after a period of fasting. Two hours later, a blood sample is taken and analyzed for its sugar content. The desired value should be below 140 mg/dL. The diagnosis of pre-diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance all indicate that the patient is a high-risk candidate for getting diabetes.
For that reason, advice on a more healthy diet and lifestyle must be stressed to stop the progression of the situation. Blood sugar screening does not end with diagnosis of diabetes mellitus alone. Among diabetics, proper monitoring of blood glucose is a should as keeping it within normal levels will be a very essential way of stopping diabetic conditions that affect the kidneys, eyes, heart and blood vessels. If you suspect you have diabetes, or if you have a powerful family history of the sickness, it is ideal to consult a physician so he/she can order the required tests.
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