What are normal blood glucose levels. How is diabetes diagnosed. What are the different types of diabetes. How is blood glucose tested. What factors affect blood sugar levels. How is diabetes managed. Why is monitoring blood glucose important.

Blood Glucose Testing: A Key Tool in Diabetes Diagnosis

Blood glucose testing is a crucial diagnostic tool used to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream. This test helps healthcare providers determine if a person has diabetes or is at risk of developing the condition. But how exactly does this test work?

A blood glucose test involves taking a small sample of blood, typically from a fingertip or a vein in the arm, and analyzing it in a laboratory. The results are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and can provide valuable insights into a person’s metabolic health.

Types of Blood Glucose Tests

• Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Performed after 8 hours of fasting
• Random Blood Glucose Test: Can be done at any time, regardless of when you last ate
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Measures blood sugar levels before and after drinking a glucose solution
• Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) Test: Provides an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months

When interpreting blood glucose test results, it’s important to understand the normal ranges. For a fasting blood glucose test, a healthy range is between 70 and 100 mg/dL. A result between 100 and 125 mg/dL may indicate prediabetes, while a reading of 126 mg/dL or higher could suggest diabetes.

Decoding Blood Glucose Levels: What Do They Mean?

Understanding blood glucose levels is essential for diagnosing and managing diabetes. But what do these numbers really mean? Let’s break it down:

Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

• Normal: 70-100 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher

Non-Fasting (Random) Blood Glucose Levels

• Normal: Below 140 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 140-199 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher

It’s important to note that a single high reading doesn’t necessarily mean you have diabetes. Diagnosis typically requires multiple tests over time or additional diagnostic procedures.

The Role of Insulin in Blood Sugar Regulation

To truly understand blood glucose levels, we must explore the role of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar. But how exactly does it work?

When you consume carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into glucose, which enters your bloodstream. In response, your pancreas releases insulin. This hormone acts like a key, unlocking cells to allow glucose to enter and be used for energy. In people without diabetes, this process helps maintain blood glucose levels within a healthy range.

However, in individuals with diabetes, this system doesn’t function properly. In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects. Both scenarios result in elevated blood glucose levels.

Types of Diabetes: Understanding the Differences

Diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are several types of diabetes, each with its own characteristics and management approaches. The three main types are:

Type 1 Diabetes

This is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to survive.

Type 2 Diabetes

The most common form of diabetes, Type 2 occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin. It’s often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity.

Gestational Diabetes

This type develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Understanding which type of diabetes you have is crucial for proper management and treatment. Each type requires a tailored approach to care.

Factors Affecting Blood Glucose Levels

Blood glucose levels aren’t solely determined by what you eat. Various factors can influence your blood sugar, making diabetes management a complex task. Some key factors include:

• Diet: The types and amounts of food you consume, especially carbohydrates
• Physical Activity: Exercise can lower blood glucose levels
• Medications: Certain drugs, including those unrelated to diabetes, can affect blood sugar
• Stress: Hormonal changes during stress can raise blood glucose
• Illness: Infections and other illnesses can cause blood sugar to rise
• Sleep: Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can affect insulin sensitivity
• Hormonal changes: Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can influence blood sugar levels

By understanding these factors, individuals with diabetes can better manage their condition and maintain more stable blood glucose levels.

Monitoring Blood Glucose: Essential for Diabetes Management

For people with diabetes, regular blood glucose monitoring is a crucial part of managing the condition. But why is it so important? And how often should it be done?

Frequent monitoring helps individuals with diabetes understand how their blood sugar responds to various factors such as food, exercise, and medication. This information allows for more informed decision-making about diet, activity, and insulin dosing.

The frequency of monitoring depends on the type of diabetes and the individual’s treatment plan. For instance:

• People with Type 1 diabetes may need to check their blood sugar up to 10 times a day
• Those with Type 2 diabetes might check a few times daily, depending on their medication regimen
• Some individuals use continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that provide real-time glucose readings throughout the day and night

Regular monitoring not only helps in day-to-day management but also provides valuable data for healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans as needed.

Diabetes Management: Beyond Blood Glucose Testing

While blood glucose monitoring is a cornerstone of diabetes management, it’s just one part of a comprehensive approach to care. Effective diabetes management encompasses various strategies aimed at maintaining overall health and preventing complications.

Key Components of Diabetes Management

1. Medication: This may include insulin injections, oral medications, or both, depending on the type of diabetes and individual needs.
2. Dietary Changes: A balanced diet that controls carbohydrate intake is crucial for managing blood sugar levels.
3. Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and overall health.
4. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, especially in Type 2 diabetes.
5. Stress Management: Techniques like meditation or yoga can help reduce stress-related blood sugar spikes.
6. Regular Check-ups: Regular visits to healthcare providers for monitoring and adjusting treatment plans as needed.

By adopting a holistic approach to diabetes management, individuals can not only maintain better blood glucose control but also improve their overall quality of life and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Technological Advances in Diabetes Care

The landscape of diabetes management is constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging to make blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery more convenient and accurate. These advancements are revolutionizing diabetes care and improving quality of life for many individuals.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)

CGMs are small devices that measure glucose levels in real-time, typically through a sensor inserted under the skin. They provide constant readings, allowing users to see trends and patterns in their blood sugar levels. Some key benefits of CGMs include:

• Reduced need for fingerstick tests
• Alerts for high or low blood sugar
• Improved understanding of how different factors affect blood sugar
• Ability to share data with healthcare providers remotely

Insulin Pumps

Insulin pumps are small, computerized devices that deliver insulin continuously throughout the day. Modern pumps can be programmed to deliver precise amounts of insulin based on the user’s needs. Some advanced systems even integrate with CGMs to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on real-time glucose readings.

Smartphone Apps

Numerous apps are now available to help individuals with diabetes track their blood sugar levels, medication, diet, and exercise. Many of these apps can sync with glucose meters, CGMs, and insulin pumps to provide comprehensive data analysis and insights.

While these technologies offer significant benefits, it’s important to note that they’re not suitable for everyone. The choice of diabetes management tools should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, considering individual needs and preferences.

Preventing Diabetes Complications: The Importance of Blood Sugar Control

Maintaining good blood glucose control is not just about managing day-to-day symptoms; it’s crucial for preventing long-term complications of diabetes. Chronic high blood sugar can lead to a range of serious health issues affecting various parts of the body.

Potential Complications of Uncontrolled Diabetes

• Cardiovascular Disease: Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems
• Kidney Disease: Potential progression to kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant
• Neuropathy: Nerve damage leading to pain, numbness, or tingling, especially in extremities
• Retinopathy: Eye damage that can lead to vision loss or blindness
• Foot Problems: Increased risk of infections, ulcers, and in severe cases, amputation
• Skin Conditions: Greater susceptibility to various skin infections and disorders

By maintaining blood glucose levels within target ranges, individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of developing these complications. This underscores the importance of regular monitoring, adherence to treatment plans, and lifestyle modifications.

Regular Health Screenings

In addition to daily blood glucose management, regular health screenings are essential for early detection and prevention of diabetes-related complications. These may include:

• Annual eye exams
• Regular foot checks
• Kidney function tests
• Cardiovascular health assessments

By staying proactive about their health and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals with diabetes can lead full, active lives while minimizing the risk of long-term complications.

Blood Glucose Test | Heart and Vascular

What is a blood glucose test?

A blood glucose test is a tool that is used to measure how much glucose you have in your blood. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy. As you eat, your body will convert carbohydrates into glucose.

Why is a blood glucose test recommended?

Your doctor may order a blood glucose test to determine if you have prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes. Diabetic patients are not able to produce enough insulin — the hormone that controls the amount of sugar in your blood. If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause severe organ damage.

Your doctor may also order a blood glucose test if he suspects you are hypoglycemic — your glucose levels are too low.

How is a blood glucose test performed?

A blood glucose test involves taking a sample of blood from your finger and analyzing it in the lab. In some patients, a larger sample of blood is taken via a vessel in the arm.

How to prepare for a blood glucose test?

A blood glucose test can be performed after not eating food for a certain amount of time (fasting) or non-fasting.  

If you are having a fasting blood glucose test, you should not eat or drink within eight hours of the test. 

If you are having a non-fasting blood glucose test, you can eat or drink up until the time you have the test.
Fasting blood glucose tests are more accurate than non-fasting blood glucose test. If you have abnormal results on a non-fasting test, your doctor may repeat the test as a fasting test.

What are healthy blood glucose levels?

A healthy blood glucose range on a fasting test is between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A healthy blood glucose level on a non-fasting blood glucose test is under 125 mg/dL.

What are unhealthy blood glucose levels?

An unhealthy blood glucose level on a fasting test is above 100 mg/dL. If you have a blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you may have prediabetes. If your blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL or higher, you may have diabetes.

An unhealthy blood glucose level on a non-fasting test is above 140 mg/dL. If you have a blood glucose level between 140 – 199 mg/dL, you may have prediabetes. If you have a blood glucose level above 200, you may have diabetes.

How often do I have to be monitored if I have high blood glucose levels?

If you have high blood glucose, your doctor will work with you to develop a plan outlining how often you should check your blood sugar. He or she will take into consideration what type of diabetes you have and your treatment plan. 

If you have type 1 diabetes, you may need to check your own blood sugar as many as 10 times a day, including before and after eating or drinking.

Patients with type 2 diabetes will need to check their blood sugar a few times a day as well. Timing may be dependent on the type and amount of insulin you have been prescribed daily.

Some type 1 diabetic patients opt to have a continuous glucose monitor that can continuously monitor glucose levels and alert you when your blood sugar gets too high or too low.

Risks of a blood glucose test

There are very few risks associated with a blood glucose test. Risks may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or lightheadedness
• Infection at the site where blood was drawn
• Hematoma if blood pools under the skin

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Normal Blood Sugar Levels for Adults and Children with Diabetes

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In very simple terms, diabetes is having a high amount of blood sugar. The condition comes with a strict regimen of testing and managing that level.

But, there are “normal” ranges of blood sugar to attempt to stay within, even in the different types of diabetes. Here, we look at what those levels are, as well as appropriate blood glucose levels for people who don’t have diabetes.

Ups and Downs

Factors That Contribute to Blood Sugar Range

The body’s level of blood glucose is controlled by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps your body absorb the sugar and use it in your cells. As your level of blood glucose rises, your pancreas produces more insulin to compensate. This helps keep your average blood glucose level within a safe range.

In diabetes, the body can’t produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin properly (a condition called insulin resistance). This means that your body can’t compensate well for increases in blood glucose, which prevents your pancreas from stopping sharp spikes in blood glucose and increases the average blood glucose level over time.

Blood glucose spikes happen to everyone, especially after eating and drinking, but also after skipping breakfast, when you’re dehydrated, and after you get a sunburn, among other triggers. They are especially dangerous for people with diabetes because their bodies can’t regulate, or even out, the spikes.

A1c and More

Tests for Diabetes

There are three broad types of diabetes: type 1, which usually appears in childhood and needs lifelong treatment; type 2, which usually appears later in life and can vary a lot in severity; and gestational diabetes, which is temporary and appears in pregnant people who don’t already have either of the other two types.

People with all types of diabetes generally have a higher level of sugar in their blood than people without it. When you have diabetes, it’s important to keep a close eye on your blood glucose and to make note of your average levels. This way, you can quickly identify possible problems, such as when the levels change suddenly.

“Testing for diabetes is actually pretty simple these days,” says Dr. Kasia Lipska, a specialist in diabetes medicine and management at Yale Medicine. But, she added, “no test is perfect. And so we usually recommend that if something is abnormal that [the test] be repeated so that it’s confirmed.”

There are a few different ways to test for diabetes, including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, or just A1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and oral glucose tolerance (OGT) tests. Most tests for diabetes involve measuring the amount of glucose contained in a small blood sample. Your results will be shown as either milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or as a percentage (%).

OGT tests measure blood sugar before and after you drink a glucose-containing liquid. This usually involves fasting for eight hours before the first test, drinking the liquid, then having follow up tests at one, two, and potentially three hours later. The results at each point are compared to test how quickly your body compensates for a spike in blood glucose.

A1c tests are most useful for diagnosis and monitoring the progress of the condition, while FPG tests are better for day-to-day monitoring of blood glucose levels. Your health care provider might also perform certain other tests in specific cases, such as antibody tests for type 1 diabetes.

Population	Fasting	After eating	A1c
Without diabetes	99 mg/dL or less	140 mg/dL	5.7% or less
Prediabetes	100-125 mg/dL	140-199 mg/dL	5. 7% to 6.4%
Adults with type 1 or 2, and kids with type 2	60-130 mg/dL	180 mg/dL or less	7% or less
Kids with type 1	150-200 mg/dL	120-140 mg/dL	7.5% or less
Pregnant people with type 1	95 mg/dL or less	120-140 mg/dL	6% or less
Gestational diabetes	95 mg/dL or less	120-140 mg/dL	n/a

Recommended Levels

What is considered a normal blood glucose level varies from person to person. It’s affected by factors such as weight, age, activity level, and whether you have any health conditions. Your health care provider will generally account for all these factors to develop a target glucose level.

A broad baseline range is between 60 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL when fasting and up to 180 mg/dL two hours after you begin eating, or under 7% on an A1c test.

Results that are higher than the range are called hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), while results that are lower are called hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The borders between extremes of the ranges are not precise, but they are useful markers for monitoring general trends.

Careful monitoring is especially important for people with type 1 diabetes, as they are at higher risk of both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. It’s also useful for reducing long-term damage to your body, because it helps you stay within the healthy range for as long as possible throughout the day. This is called your “time in range,” and health care providers generally aim for about 70%, which equals around 16 to 17 hours per day.

For Children with Type 1

While some diabetes organizations may suggest lower targets, the generally recommended A1c level for children with type 1 diabetes is under 7.5%. However, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which involves a special wearable device that constantly monitors blood glucose, is thought to be a better approach. This is partly because only about a quarter of children with type 1 meet this A1c standard.

The target glucose level for newly diagnosed children using CGM is generally around 150 mg/dL, with some variation allowed during sleep hours (between 150 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL).

Children who have been diagnosed for some time and already have an established treatment plan might have a more aggressive target of around 120 mg/dL. As with adults, time in range for children with type 1 diabetes is typically around 70% (16 to 17 hours a day).

For Pregnant People with Type 1

It’s very possible to have a healthy pregnancy if you have type 1 diabetes. But if it isn’t well controlled and monitored, type 1 can increase your risk of pregnancy complications. As a result, the target blood glucose range may be lower than you are used to and require more regular monitoring.

Fasting blood glucose should be below 95 mg/dL, below 140 mg/dL an hour after eating, and below 120 mg/dL two hours after eating. A1c tests may be used to monitor how effectively your blood glucose is being controlled over the course of your pregnancy, with a target of below 6%.

For Gestational Diabetes

It’s normal to develop some degree of insulin resistance in late pregnancy. This could lead to gestational diabetes in certain people, especially if they already had a level of insulin resistance before becoming pregnant.

Gestational diabetes occurs in around 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the US. For this reason, your health care provider will test for it once your pregnancy is confirmed and again between the 24th and 28th weeks of the pregnancy, when it’s most likely to develop.

Blood glucose targets for gestational diabetes are similar to those recommended in pregnancy for type 1. Fasting blood glucose should be below 95 mg/dL, below 140 mg/dL an hour after eating, and below 120 mg/dL two hours after eating. With help from your health care providers, you can learn to check your levels multiple times throughout the day with a home blood glucose meter.

For People Without Diabetes

For people who don’t have diabetes, an A1c test result lower than 5.7% is considered normal. If your level is between 5.7% and 6.4%, you may have what is sometimes called prediabetes. This means that you have higher than normal blood glucose but don’t meet the criteria to be diagnosed with diabetes.

An FPG test result of 99 mg/dL or lower means that you’re within a safe range. A result between 100 to 125 mg/dL is in the prediabetes range, and you might need follow-up testing. A safe range for an OGT test result is around 140 mg/dL two hours after the test starts, while 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL is considered a prediabetic range.

If results suggest that you have prediabetes, your provider might order more tests and offer ideas for lifestyle changes that can help bring your blood glucose levels down. The goal is to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, or to delay its onset as long as possible.

Importance

Why You Should Measure Blood Sugar

As many as 1 in 3 adults in the US (about 96 million people) has prediabetes. This puts them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Among those, it’s also suspected that around 80% don’t know they have it. Prediabetes often shows no symptoms at all for years.

This means that it’s important to get your blood glucose levels tested if you have any of the common risk factors for diabetes:

• A family history of type 2 diabetes

• Being older than 45

• Being overweight

• Having low levels of physical activity

• Having PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

If you fit into one or more of these categories, asking your health care provider for a simple blood test might help you avoid a lifetime of diabetes. It can also lower your risk for other conditions, such as heart disease, kidney conditions, eye problems, and stroke.

It’s also crucial to keep track of blood sugar levels in diabetes to avoid serious complications of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia:

• Heart disease and problems, such as coronary artery disease with chest pain, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)

• Kidney damage (nephropathy), which can cause you to need dialysis or a kidney transplant due to kidney failure

• Eye damage (retinopathy), which can cause blindness and increase your risk of glaucoma and cataracts

• Foot damage, such as reduced blood flow, nerve damage, infections, and poor healing of wounds

• Erectile dysfunction

• Dementia

Lowering Blood Glucose

How to Lower Blood Sugar When Needed

If you don’t have diabetes but your blood glucose is in the prediabetic range, your health care provider will likely recommend a few lifestyle changes to bring your levels down to the safe range. This usually takes the form of weight loss, changes to your diet, and regular exercise. A plan to lose between 5% and 10% of your body weight within 6 months is a common recommendation.

Diet changes usually mean reducing the size of your portions and avoiding foods high in sugar, simple carbohydrates, and saturated fats. Adding more movement to your daily life can be as simple as just moving around more while working, stretching regularly, and avoiding sitting as much, in addition to more structured exercise.

You should work with your health care provider to develop a lifestyle plan, but you may also need medication to control your blood glucose levels throughout the day and prevent dangerous spikes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to take medications by mouth, such as metformin.

However, this approach doesn’t always work if you have type 2 diabetes and won’t work at all if you have type 1. You might also need calculated doses of insulin released into your bloodstream; the amounts you should take will depend on your blood glucose test results. This can be done with regular injections throughout the day or with a device attached to your body called an insulin pump, which automatically administers it as needed.

Raising Blood Glucose

How to Raise Blood Sugar When Needed

How to Raise Blood Sugar When NeededHypoglycemia, where your blood glucose is lower than 70 mg/dL, is a common problem for people with type 1 diabetes. It’s important to know how to handle it when it happens. Hypoglycemia can be caused by a number of things, such as taking too much insulin, waiting too long before eating or not eating enough, and exercising a lot more than usual.

Resolving it might be as simple as eating something that can raise your blood glucose. But in severe cases, where your blood glucose dips below 55 mg/dL, this might not be enough.

If you’re at risk of this, your health care provider might prescribe an injectable medication called glucagon to use in an emergency. You can use it yourself, or someone else can use it on you if you’re not able to. You will then need to seek emergency treatment after the injection to make sure that your glucose levels make it back up to a safe level.

The 15-15 Rule

The 15-15 rule is a helpful guideline for raising your blood glucose when it’s in the 55 mg/dL to 69 mg/dL range. It means that you should eat 15 grams of carbohydrates, then wait 15 minutes and check your blood glucose.

If your blood glucose level is still too low, repeat the process until you’re back in your target range. After this, you should try to eat something nutritious and low in fat (fat slows the absorption of sugars) to make sure it doesn’t get too low again.

Notes: This article was originally published December 5, 2022 and most recently updated December 12, 2022.

• Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Type 1 diabetes: Measuring sugar levels in blood and urine yourself. InformedHealth.org. June 29, 2017. Accessed: November 2, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/books/NBK279337/
• Atteih S, Ratner J. Endocrinology. Harriet Lane Handbook. Chapter 10. 22nd ed. 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323674072000103
• Morrow DA, de Lemos J. Stable Ischemic Heart Disease. Braunwald’s Heart Disease. Chapter 40. 12th ed. 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323722193000402
• Los E, Wilt AS. Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 in Children. StatPearls. June 27, 2022. Accessed: November 2, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441918/
• Goodwin G. Diabetes Mellitus in Children. Conn’s Current Therapy. Chapter 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323833783003050
• Pregnancy With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes (FAQs). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pregnancy-with-type-1-or-type-2-diabetes
• Managing & Treating Gestational Diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www. niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/gestational/management-treatment
• Your Game Plan to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes/game-plan

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Blood glucose conversion table (mmol/l to mg/dl)

Blood glucose conversion table (mmol/l to mg/dl)

Blood sugar can be measured in both mmol/l and mg/dl. In the US, blood glucose is reported in mg/dL, while in the UK the standard is mmol/L.

The table below will help you convert from one unit of measure to another.

If you have a blood glucose meter, you can change from one unit of measurement to another, although not all devices allow you to do this. See the manual for more information.

If you want to convert the value yourself, the conversion factors are as follows:

• 1 mg/dl = 0. 0555 mmol/l
• 1 mmol/l = 18.018 mg/dl

Table of Contents

What is a normal blood glucose level?

Each lab or physician may set different ranges for what is considered normal. In addition, it also depends on whether you have already been diagnosed with diabetes or not, and whether you are fasting* or have recently eaten.

• Normal values ​​for healthy fasting adults* are: 60-100 mg/dL or 3.3-5.6 mmol/L.

* Fasting refers to not eating or drinking other than water during the previous 8-12 hours.

Blood sugar conversion

Blood glucose (glycemia) conversion table from mmol/l (UK standard) to mg/dl (US standard)

mmol/L	mg/dL		mmol/L	mg/dL		mmol/L	mg/dL
0.6	10		6. 1	110		16.7	300
0.8	15		6.7	120		17.8	320 9 0058
1.1	20		7.2	130		18.9	340
1.4	25		7.8	140		20.0	360 9 0058
1.7	30		8.3	150		21.1	380 9 0058
1.9	35		8.9	160		22.2	400 9 0058
2.2	40		9.4	170		23.3	420
2.5	45		10.0	180		24.4	440
2.8	50		10.5	190		25.6	460
3. 1	55		11.1	200		26.7	480
3.3	60		11.7	210		27.8	500
3.6	65		12.2	220		28.9	520
3.9	70		12.8	230		30.0	540
4.2	75		13.3	240		31.1	560
4.4	80		13.9	250		32.2	580
4.7	85		14.4	260		33.3	600
5.0	90		15.0	270		36.1	650
5.3	95		15. 5	280		38.9	700
5.6	100		16.1	290		44.4	800

Values ​​in RED cells are life threatening and require immediate medical attention, please call the emergency number immediately!

Values ​​in YELLOW cells require an urgent medical examination, please call your GP or 911 for advice.

A glycated hemoglobin or HbA1C conversion table is on the link page.

Resources

• Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference.
  K Pagana – Elsevier, 2018
  ISBN: 978-0-323-60969-2
• Guide to Diagnostic Tests, 7th Ed.
  D. Nicoll – McGraw-Hill, 2017
  ISBN: 978-1-25-964090-2
• American Diabetes Association (ADA)
• UK National Health Service (NHS)

Plasma glucose analysis – Laboratory “City Med” Orenburg

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Medical analysis showing the exact level of blood sugar can be taken in Orenburg

Plasma glucosesitemanager2021-11-16T14:25:24+05:00

Plasma glucose, medical analysis to pass in Orenburg

Glucose is a simple sugar, the main blood hydrocarbon and the main source of energy for all cells . You can also find: Blood sugar analysis, blood glucose, fasting blood glucose analysis. Blood sugar, fasting blood sugar, FBS, fasting blood glucose, FBG, fasting plasma glucose, blood glucose, urine glucose.

Test method

Enzymatic UV method (hexokinase).

Units

mmol/l (millimoles per liter), mg/dl (mmol/l x 18.02 = mg/dl).

What biomaterial can be used for the study of ?

Venous, capillary blood.

How to properly prepare for a blood glucose test?

1. Do not eat for 12 hours before the test.
2. Exclude physical and emotional overexertion 30 minutes before the examination.
3. Do not smoke for 30 minutes before donating blood.

General information about the study plasma glucose

Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as the body’s main source of energy. Carbohydrates consumed by a person are broken down into glucose and other simple sugars, which are absorbed by the small intestine and enter the bloodstream.

Most body cells require glucose for energy production. The brain and nerve cells need it not only as a source of energy, but also as a regulator of their activity, since they can only function if the blood glucose reaches a certain level.

The body can use glucose thanks to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. It regulates the movement of glucose from the blood into the cells of the body, forcing them to accumulate excess energy in the form of a short-term reserve – glycogen or in the form of triglycerides deposited in fat cells. A person cannot live without glucose and without insulin, the content of which in the blood must be balanced.

Normally, plasma glucose increases slightly after meals, while secreted insulin lowers its concentration. The level of insulin depends on the amount and composition of the food taken. If the blood glucose concentration drops too low, which can happen after several hours of fasting or after intense physical work, then glucagon (another pancreatic hormone) is released, which causes the liver cells to convert glycogen back into glucose, thereby increasing its content in the blood. .

Maintaining normal blood glucose levels is essential. When the glucose-insulin feedback mechanism is working properly, blood glucose remains fairly stable. If this balance is disturbed and the blood sugar level rises, then the body seeks to restore it, firstly, by producing more insulin, and secondly, by excreting glucose in the urine.

Extreme forms of hyper- and hypoglycemia (excess and lack of glucose) can threaten the patient’s life, causing organ failure, brain damage and coma. Chronically elevated blood glucose can damage the kidneys, eyes, heart, blood vessels, and nervous system. Chronic hypoglycemia is dangerous damage to the brain and nervous system.

Sometimes women experience hyperglycemia (gestational diabetes) during pregnancy. If left untreated, it can cause the mother to give birth to a large baby with low blood glucose levels. Interestingly, a woman suffering from hyperglycemia during pregnancy will not necessarily have diabetes after pregnancy.

What is the plasma glucose test used for?

Glucose level is important in the diagnosis of hyper- and hypoglycemia and, accordingly, in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, as well as for its subsequent monitoring. Sugar testing can be done on an empty stomach (after 8-10 hours of fasting), spontaneously (at any time), after meals, and can also be part of the oral glucose tolerance test (GTT).

If diabetes is diagnosed, a fasting blood glucose test or glucose tolerance test is recommended. Moreover, for the final confirmation of the diagnosis, the tests should be carried out twice at different times.

Most pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes (a temporary form of hyperglycemia) between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.

Diabetics should closely monitor their blood glucose levels to adjust their tablet intake and insulin injections. It is usually required several times a day to determine how much the glucose concentration deviates from the norm.

Measuring glucose at home is usually carried out using a special device – a glucometer, in which a test strip with a pre-applied drop of blood from the patient’s finger is placed.

When is the plasma glucose test ordered?

• In the preventive examination of patients without suspected diabetes, since diabetes is a disease that begins with minor symptoms. It is especially important to monitor blood glucose levels in patients with a genetic predisposition to diabetes, those who are overweight and those over 45 years of age.
• In the diagnosis of diabetes in patients with symptoms of hyper- or hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hyperglycemia or high sugar: increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, blurred vision, increased susceptibility to infections. Symptoms of hypoglycemia or low sugar: sweating, increased appetite, anxiety, clouding of consciousness, blurred vision.
• If you pass out or become very weak, to find out if they are caused by low blood sugar.
• If a patient has a pre-diabetic condition (in which plasma glucose is higher than normal, but lower than in diabetic patients), the analysis is carried out at regular intervals.
• For people diagnosed with diabetes, a blood glucose test is given in conjunction with a glycated hemoglobin (A1c) test to monitor changes in blood glucose over time.
• In some cases, a plasma glucose test may be performed in conjunction with an insulin and C-peptide test to monitor insulin production.
• Pregnant women are usually tested for gestational diabetes at the end of term. If a woman has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes before, then she takes a glucose test throughout the pregnancy, as well as after childbirth.

What do the results mean?

Reference values ​​(Blood glucose norm)

Age	Reference values ​​
under 14	3. 3 – 5.6 mmol/l
children over 14, men, non-pregnant women	4.1 – 6.1 mmol/l
pregnant women	4.1 – 5.1 mmol/l

Other causes of high glucose:

• acromegaly,
• severe stress (reaction to trauma, heart attack, stroke),
• chronic renal failure,
• hypercortisolism syndrome (Itsenko-Cushing),
• medications such as corticosteroids, tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics, epinephrines, estrogens, lithium, diphenine (dilantin), salicylates,
• excessive consumption of high carbohydrate foods,
• hyperthyroidism,
• pancreatic cancer,
• pancreatitis.

Causes of low blood glucose:

• adrenal insufficiency,
• alcohol abuse,
• taking drugs such as acetaminophen and anabolic steroids,
• liver diseases,
• hypopituitarism,
• hypothyroidism,
• insulin overdose,
• insulinomas,
• starvation.

Important notes

• Hypoglycemia is characterized by a drop in plasma glucose to a level at which disorders of the nervous system occur (sweating, trembling, hunger, anxiety), then the brain is also affected (clouding of consciousness, hallucinations, ambiguity vision, sometimes coma and even death).
• Definitive diagnosis of hypoglycemia requires confirmation of the Wiple triad:
  • Glucose below 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) threshold,
  • symptoms of hypoglycemia,
  • disappearance of symptoms when blood glucose returns to normal.
• Primary hypoglycemia is rare and is usually diagnosed in childhood.
• Signs of hypoglycemia sometimes occur in patients who do not have low blood sugar levels. In this case, dietary changes, such as eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and choosing complex carbohydrates, may be enough to relieve symptoms.

Also recommended

• Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
• Serum C-peptide
• Insulin
• Glucose in urine
• Urinalysis with sediment microscopy
• Urine albumin (microalbuminuria) or Albumin-creatinine ratio (urine albuminuria)

Who orders the examination?

Therapist, endocrinologist, pediatrician, general practitioner, gastroenterologist.

Literature

• Federal clinical guidelines (protocols) for the management of children with endocrine diseases. Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. M., 2014.
• Clinical guidelines “Algorithms for specialized medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus.” Edited by I.I. Dedova, M.V. Shestakova, A.Yu. Mayorova 8th issue, M., 2017.
• Definition and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and intermediate hyperglycemia. Report of a WHO/IDF Consultation. 2006.
• Guidelines for diabetes, pre-diabetes and cardiovascular disease. EASD/ESC, Russian Journal of Cardiology 2014; No. 3(107):7-61.
• Gestational diabetes mellitus: diagnosis, treatment, postpartum care. Clinical recommendations (protocol) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. M., 2014.

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GENERAL CLINICAL BLOOD TESTS

GENERAL CLINICAL URINE STUDIES

FEAL STUDIES

PRICE IN PROGRESS Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) 140 1 day Coagulogram #1 (prothrombin, INR) 175 1 day Coagulogram #2 (prothrombin, INR, fibrinogen) 380 1 day Thrombin time 210 1 day Fibrinogen 200 1 day

BIOCHEMICAL BLOOD STUDIES

TEST TYPE	PRICE	IN PROGRESS
Glycated hemoglobin	420	1 day
Cholesterol, total	150	1 day
ALAT	140	1 day
ACAT	140	1 day
Total protein	140	1 day
Serum creatinine (with determination of GFR)	150	1 day
Urea	140	1 day
Uric acid	140	1 day
alkaline phosphatase	140	1 day

BLOOD HORMONES

TEST TYPE	PRICE	IN PROGRESS
Thyroid stimulating hormone	300	1 day
Thyroxine free (T4 free)	320	1 day
Triiodothyronine free (T3 free)	320	1 day
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO)	410	1 day
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)	320	1 day
Luteinizing hormone (LH)	320	1 day
Prolactin	320	1 day
Testosterone	320	1 day
Progesterone	320	1 day

TUNING MARKERS

	PRICE	IN PROGRESS
PSA total	370	1 day
PSA total and free PSA	710	1 day
Serum calcitonin	795	1 day
Cancer embryonic antigen (CEA)	530	1 day
SA-242	1060	1 day
SA-125 II	545	1 day

DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIONS

TEST TYPE	PRICE	IN PROGRESS
4 mandatory tests (antibodies to HIV 1/2, syphilis, anti-HCV, HBsAg)	990	1 day
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