Blood Glucose Test : What, When And How?

Blood Glucose Test : What, When, How And Why?

Blood sugar/glucose, the main source of energy, stored in liver and muscle cells for later use. The main source of glucose is the food we eat daily. Glucose is circulated by blood in the whole body for energy.

When there is a high blood sugar level from the normal range then it called diabetes. Over time, too high a level of glucose in the blood can cause serious problems. Even if anybody does not have a high sugar level, there can be sometimes have problems with the low blood sugar being too low, also.

It is very important to keep the blood sugar level within the normal range if you are experiencing any. There is a need to check blood sugar several times a day at regular intervals. You can take a test of Hb1AC, it’s a blood test. Monitor your average blood sugar level for the last three months. If your blood sugar is too high, you may need to take medication and/or follow a special diet.

What is a blood sugar test? 

A blood sugar test is used to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. Alternative names for this test are blood sugar, fasting blood glucose, or fasting plasma glucose test. Glucose is a monosaccharide (simple sugars), which is responsible for meeting most of the body’s energy needs. The hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas helps regulate glucose levels by transporting glucose levels in the body to the cells. , Some medical conditions can cause an increase or fall in blood sugar levels. Diabetes can cause complications such as high blood sugar, kidney failure, and heart and eye disease, while low blood sugar can cause brain damage if not treated in time.

What is the reason to do the blood sugar test done? 

If the person has a suggestion of high or low blood sugar, a glucose test is recommended. 

High glucose levels can be caused by: 

  • Increased thirst 
  • increased urine, 
  • blurred vision 
  • wounds that heal slowly. 
Symptoms of low blood sugar: 
  • lack of exercise 
  • Sedentary lifestyle 
  • Strong family history of overweight diabetes 
  • Increased blood pressure 
  • Heart disease 

During pregnancy, a blood sugar test between 24 and 28 weeks is usually recommended to screen for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy and blood sugar levels usually return to normal after delivery. 

Any preparation required for a blood sugar test? 

The patient is required to fast for at least 7-8 hours before the test. If a sample is required after lunch, the patient should eat a light lunch and return to the laboratory 2 hours later to provide another blood sample. To determine gestational diabetes, women will be given a sugary drink one hour before the test. It is not necessary to fast. If the report shows a high glucose level, another test with fasting is required. If a pregnant woman is taking any medicine, it is necessary to inform the doctor before stopping it.

What is the procedure to do a blood sugar test?

After rubbing the affected area with a suitable antiseptic, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm with a small needle. Some people may feel a slight prick while applying the needle, which will go away immediately. There are no other risks involved during this test. People who have a blood glucose test kit at home can do the following: Wash their hands thoroughly, dry them with towels, and pour the test strip into the meter. Use the lancing device (included in the kit) on your fingers to get a drop of blood. Touch and hold the edge of the test strip on the drop of blood. The device screen will immediately provide a glucose reading. Use your thumb to avoid sores at the puncture site. Results vary between glucometers; Therefore, the user manual instructions should be consulted for the test; Talk to the healthcare provider in case of discrepancies.

What do my blood sugar results indicate

Blood sugar levels are varied based on the following criteria: 

  • Diabetes duration. 
  • A person’s age and life expectancy 
  • blood pressure and comorbid conditions like thyroid. 
  • Known cases of heart disease or other heart conditions or blood levels lack awareness. 
  • Blood Glucose Other Patient Considerations 
Normal Results (within the range) :
  • Fasting (before meals) or preprandial blood sugar levels between 80 and 130 mg / dl (mg / dL) are considered normal. 
  • The glucose level after lunch (1-2 hours after meals) should be less than 180 mg / dL. 
Abnormal Results :

Blood sugar levels above or below the standard range are considered abnormal. High blood sugar levels can be caused by: 

  • Hyperthyroidism 
  • Kidney disease 
  • Pancreatic cancer 
  • And strong emotions or stress. 

Reasons for low blood sugar levels can be due to : 

  • Hypothyroidism 
  • High insulin levels 
  • Liver disease

It is important to take care of each sugar test to understand whether food, activity, or emotions affect glucose levels. This will help to evaluate whether the diabetes plan is effective. If your blood sugar level is abnormal again and again, you should talk to your healthcare provider or diabetes educator.

(Disclaimer: Information provided in this piece of article is purely for educational purposes only. All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s data to make an accurate diagnosis.) 

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