Blood Sugar Tests tell us how well our body is processing glucose. Following is the description of some of the tests performed and the need of the same.
Sugar is an important source of energy, especially for the brain. The amount of glucose in the blood is carefully controlled by the endocrine (glandular) system. This system causes sugar to be stored or used for energy, depending on the needs of your body. The blood glucose test is performed to monitor the level of glucose in the blood and hence detect both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which helps in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
The several different types of blood glucose tests performed are as follows:
Fasting Blood Sugar Test (FBS) measures the fasting blood sugar levels in the body, 8 hours after the last meal. It is the first test performed to diagnose diabetes. The normal fasting blood sugar range for people with no diabetes is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If the fasting blood sugar level in the blood is between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL, this indicates that the patient has a condition known as prediabetes. In such scenarios, the fasting glucose test is repeated on regular periods and dietary restrictions are suggested to the patient. However, if the level of sugar exceeds 126 mg/dL, then the patient is diagnosed with diabetes.
Random Blood Sugar Test (RBS) measures the level of glucose in the body at any point of time. If the level of sugar is between 140 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL, the patient is diagnosed with prediabetes. If the level of sugar exceeds 200 mg/dL, then the patient is diagnosed with diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is performed to diagnose Gestational Diabetes which occurs during pregnancy. It is the process of taking a series of blood glucose measurements after the patient drinks a sweet liquid that contains a high quantity of glucose. A normal blood sugar level after an oral glucose tolerance test is lower than 140 mg/dL. If the blood sugar level is 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL then the patient is diagnosed with prediabetes.
Glycated Hemoglobin Test (A1C) is not performed to diagnose diabetes. Rather, it helps evaluate as to how well a patient is managing diabetes. The A1C test reflects the average blood sugar level for an average of two to three months. The test results show as to what percentage is the hemoglobin sugar coated (glycated). The normal range for people with no diabetes is 4 to 6% while the patients with diabetes are requested to maintain the A1C level to less the 7%. However, if the level is greater than 7%, then the patient may need to change the diabetes treatment plan.
The above tests are performed by a laboratory on the blood sample obtained from you. The results are obtained in a few minutes. Glucose levels in urine also can be measured. Many people with diabetes have glucose in their urine. However, the level in the blood must be very high before glucose can be detected in the urine. For this reason, tests for glucose in urine are not used to diagnose or monitor diabetes.
Diabetics must monitor their own blood glucose levels, often several times a day, to determine how far above or below normal their glucose is and to determine what oral medications or insulin(s) they may need. This is usually done by placing a drop of blood from a skin prick onto a glucose strip and then inserting the strip into a glucose meter of a blood sugar tester, a small machine that provides a digital readout of the blood glucose level.
It is important to remember that test results are only a part of a larger picture that has to include your medical history and current health. In case the test results do not return a normal result, it is imperative that you take immediate action and consult a diabetic specialist right away who can guide you with the right treatment and dietary plan.
Tattoo ink monitors blood glucose levels
Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Draper Laboratory has developed a special tattoo ink that changes colors based on a person’s blood sugar levels.
Higher Blood Sugar Levels are Linked to Lower Brain Function
Higher Blood Sugar Levels Are Linked to Lower Brain Function.
Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia: Their Effects on Diabetes
Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, happens when blood sugar (also known as blood glucose) falls below 70 mg/dL. Such a low blood sugar level can be caused by some medications used to treat diabetes.
Higher blood sugar levels linked to lower brain function
Results of a recent study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues show that cognitive functioning abilities drop as average blood sugar levels rise in people with type 2 diabetes.
25-year-old woman recently noticed an increase in his blood sugar
It saves your time and money visiting a consultant as you can have it without any prescription would definitely recommend Diamaxol from my experience as the best blood sugar level-lowering product available.
How to control Blood Sugar Level
Acai berry since its discovery from the Amazon rainforest of Brazil has been a big subject of interest by health and food experts. It has been proved that Acai.
Tattoo's To Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
Tattoo's To Monitor Blood Sugar Levels. For all of us in the tattoo game, here's an unbelievably cool development in tehnology with a wary side for your health.
Information About Diabetes Diet
It helps by lowering down the blood sugar level. Garlic Swallow a clove of garlic daily in the morning. The constituents of the garlic have been scientifically proved to lower down the blood sugar level.
Is Sugar Bad For Our Memory?
Keeping your blood sugar under control is beneficial for far more than just waistlines and Memory lossdiabetes prevention, it is also important to help preserve your memory as you age.
The Best Foods for Those Who Suffer of Diabetes
It is well known that diabetics have to follow a strict diet to maintain under control their level of sugar in the blood, and they don not have many.
Poor memory function associated with high blood sugar levels
Poor memory function associated with high blood sugar levels in Type 2 Diabetes sufferers, Medicine and medical education, disease, diagnosis and treatment guidelines, health news, drug database, learning and knowledge.
The Significance of Diabetes
Diabetics know that the A1C level reflects the average blood sugar level over a month or more and is a sure sign as to whether the diabetic condition is being controlled or not. AGEs have also been linked to aging, hence the acronym.
Published: 11/12/2007
