Sunday, February 13, 2011

Normal Blood Glucose Levels And Diabetes

Glucose which is carried in your bloodstream provides the essential energy required by your body. Glucose is also known as blood sugar and is produced when carbohydrate foods are eaten. Blood sugar levels, or blood glucose levels, are controlled by insulin which is a hormone produced by the pancreas.

Normal blood glucose levels lie between 70 and 150 mg. Blood sugar levels above 150mg.  are considered to be high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. Low blood glucose levels below 70 mg. are known as hypoglycemia, which is a possibly fatal condition requiring immediate medical treatment. High blood sugar levels if they persist can lead to diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition which causes kidney, eye and nerve damage and can be fatal if not treated.

Your physician will order a blood glucose level test when diabetes is suspected. A fasting blood glucose test is performed following eight hours without any food consumed. This is the first way to check for possible diabetes. An optimal result is between 70 and 99mg. The next test done two hours after eating a meal should result in blood glucose levels between 70 and 150mg. for a normal result. Random testing done throughout a day regardless of meal times should discover results between 70 and 125mg. to be in the normal range.

An oral glucose tolerance teat is used to find your tolerance for glucose. You will have a glucose drink some time before the test and results outside the normal range will indicate possible diabetes. Blood glucose levels can in fact be influenced by many things so one abnormal test is not enough for a conclusive diagnosis.Results can also vary depending on the lab which processes the tests.

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