Diabetic Blood Glucose Levels
Are Your Blood Glucose Levels Properly Controlled? Do You Have Stable Blood Sugar Levels?
Glucose provides the energy which powers your body. This substance is also called blood sugar and is produced when food carbohydrates are consumed. Blood glucose levels, or blood sugar levels, are controlled in the bloodstream by the hormone insulin which is produced by the pancreas. Normal blood glucose levels are in the range of 70 to 150 mg. Blood sugar above 150mg. constitutes a problem and levels below 70mg are also problematical. This Low Sugar condition which is called hypoglycemia is a serious and sometimes fatal condition which must receive immediate medical treatment.
When your reading is above 150 mg. this is also a problem known as hyperglycemia which if persistent leads to Diabetes. This is a serious condition which is characterised by kidney, nerve and eye damage and is potentially fatal if not treated. Your doctor will conduct a blood glucose level test if he suspects possible diabetes. A fasting test is done after eight hours without food consumption, as the first check for diabetes. The result should optimally be between 70 and 99 mg in this test. A further check two hours after having a meal should find levels between 70 and 150 to be in the normal range.
A series of random checks throughout a day, regardless of meal times, should find levels between 70 and 125 . An oral glucose tolerance may be conducted to determine your tolerance toward this substance. You will be given a glucose drink some time before the procedure and a result falling outside the normal range suggests that you may have diabetes. Blood glucose levels can be influenced by many things, and one bad test may not be conclusive. In addition to this the results depend on the lab which does the processing. For this reason follow up testing over a period of time is needed to confirm any diagnosis.
Blood sugar levels which vary widely and are inconsistent can be indicative of a health problem which is likely to be diabetes. If your doctor does diagnose diabetes it is quite possible to have a normal life if you follow all his recommendations for diet, medication and possible insulin treatments. It is likely in most cases that exercise will be prescribed, as well as a low glycemic index diet. If you follow these recommendations you will be able to control your diabetes and to lead a normal life.
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