The body obtains sugars or carbohydrates from food. After these sugars are digested, they are broken down and converted into simple sugars. Glucose is the main sugar that our body uses to produce energy, and it is necessary for all tissues of the body, especially brain tissue.
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| Glucose Test |
Because this is the case, our body puts a lot of effort into trying to maintain stable glucose levels in it, and it is known that a drop in its level below 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters can lead to varying cases of unconsciousness, coma, and death.
Insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas, is the main hormone responsible for the introduction of glucose into the cells of the body after meals.
How does diabetes affect the level of sugar in the blood?
People with diabetes suffer from low insulin level, and therefore they suffer from high levels of glucose in the blood, which can lead to the emergence of many problems in the long run, such as:
Kidney damage.
Damage to vision and legs.
Problems in the digestive system and pancreas.
Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of sugar in these patients. Sugar can be checked by a regular blood test in the laboratory or by a quick test by drawing blood by prick the finger.
When is the examination performed?
For the diagnosis of diabetes in adults (adult diabetes), juvenile diabetes, and gestational diabetes . As well as as a routine examination for the early diagnosis of diabetes or in the scope of the general periodic examinations that are carried out in order to monitor the balance of sugar levels in diabetic patients.
As well as for people who are suffering from cold sweats or weakness or heart palpitations , confusion, loss of consciousness and poor, where it is possible for all of these things indicate that for lack of sugar in the blood (Hypoglycemia).
The at-risk category
The risks of checking sugar levels are very low and do not exceed the risks of a regular blood test , but it is possible that strong bleeding may occur in some patients who suffer from blood clotting disorders , such as patients who take blood-thinning medications. This bleeding can be stopped by applying light pressure on it for a few minutes with medical cotton. .
Related diseases
Examination-related illnesses include:
Type 2 diabetes, adult diabetes that is not related to insulin.
Type 1 diabetes, juvenile diabetes, related to insulin.
Pregnancy diabetes.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
How to perform the examination
The examination is carried out in the morning, at least 8 hours after eating the last meal. It is possible and even desirable to drink water or tea that does not contain sugar on the morning of the examination day, but it is forbidden to drink milk or drinks that contain sugar.
As for blood sugar levels tests that do not require fasting before they are performed, they include a test two hours after eating a meal and a glucose load test (which is performed in order to diagnose gestational diabetes).
But for the blood sugar test that is done at home, it also requires fasting, and similar to the regular blood sugar test, which can be done before meals, after meals, and even before bedtime.
during examination
We will mention what will happen during the examination according to the examination followed as follows:
Finger sugar test or capillary blood test
The examination is performed by following these steps:
You must first turn on the glucose meter (Glucometer) and insert the chip into the designated hole, after that you must prick the tip of the finger with the special needle.
Ensure that the device is single-use or that it has undergone a sterilization process after its last use, except in cases where it is ensured that no one else has used it at all.
Pressure on both sides of the finger to enable blood to drain and accumulate at the tip of the finger.
The tip of the finger must be brought close to the drop of blood from the tip of the measuring chip, taking care to keep it placed inside the device in order to enable the blood to touch the outer part of it and pass to the inner part.
The device displays the level of sugar in the blood within a few seconds. After the examination is completed, place a piece of cotton on the puncture site to stop the bleeding and absorb the rest of it.
Regular blood sugar check (intravenous glucose test)
It is performed similarly to other types of routine blood tests after blood is drawn into a test tube, and then sent to the biochemical laboratory, so it is not possible to obtain immediate results in this type of examination.
after examination
There are no special notes.
Analysis of the results
The level of sugar in the blood rises when suffering from acute illness, when exposed to psychological stress, when injured, or after surgical operations, so the examination in such cases is less credible and accurate.
In addition, there is a need to perform two tests of blood sugar levels on different days in order to confirm that a person has diabetes or to diagnose previous diabetes.
If a sugar level of less than 70 milligrams per 100 milliliters (3.9 mmol/L) is considered hypoglycemia, normal glucose levels include:
Blood sugar levels after fasting for 8 hours
Normal level: 70-100 milligrams per 100 milliliters (3.9-5.6 mmol/L).
Pre-diabetes: 100 - 125 milligrams per 100 milliliters (5.6 - 6.9 mmol/L).
Diabetes: more than 126 milligrams per 100 milliliters (7 mmol/L).
Blood glucose levels two hours after the glucose load test
Normal: 70-140 milligrams per 100 milliliters (3.9-mmol/L).
Pre-diabetes: 140-199 milligrams per 100 milliliters (7.8-11.1 mmol/L).
Diabetes: more than 200 milligrams per 100 milliliters (11.1 mmol/L).
If a blood sugar level of more than 200 milligrams is detected during a random blood test, in addition to the presence of one of the signs of diabetes, such as: vision problems, kidney failure , these things together are a sign of diabetes.
pregnant women
Normal values for blood sugar before eating are between 60-80 milligrams per 100 milliliters (3.3-4.4 mmol/L).
Gestational diabetes: If a result greater than 130 milligrams per 100 milliliters (7.2 mmol/L) is obtained during the first tolerance test, an additional test will be required, in order to confirm or deny the results of the first tolerance to sugar and to accurately diagnose the possibility of gestational diabetes.