A blood test for sugar is done to each person more often than other studies, as it can say a lot about health. To find out about possible problems or changes in the state of the body, you need to transfer the material to the laboratory. In the article, we will examine how such studies are conducted, what they are and what they explain the effective values indicated in the extract.
High or low sugar: symptoms and measurement
The main hormone that can regulate the level of sugar is insulin. Its secretion increases with increasing levels of glucose. Reduces the level of sugar in the blood after the body's cells consume it, as a result of which the synthesis of glycogen inside the liver is stimulated. When the body receives glucose, it splits inside the stomach and then goes to the cells.
In the presence of large stresses, failures of the hormonal system, the metabolic process can be disrupted, so the sugar level will also change. If it is understated, then the cells of the body are in a state of energy hunger and the period of their finding without nutrients is extremely short. The most vulnerable in this regard are brain cells, because they most need a constant inflow of nutrients.
Among the signs of a dropping blood sugar called hypoglycemia, there are increased sweating, hunger, heart palpitations, shivering and nausea, unmotivated anxiety, paresthesia of the skin on the lips. If cells do not receive the right glucose on time, headaches, drowsiness and weakness, visual impairment, inability to navigate in space, confusion may arise.
When the level of glucose in the blood rises and this process is not regulated by the body, a person will immediately feel certain symptoms. If this is due to insulin deficiency, the disease is called diabetes mellitus. It differs with the help of physiological increase in indicators and pathological. Symptoms of diabetes are: increased urination, polydipsia( thirst, lack of water), polyphagia( or a constant desire to eat).
How to donate blood for sugar: preparation of
Depending on the type of blood test for sugar, the training requirements will also change. In the question of how to take a blood test for sugar, there are general rules:
- The meal should be no less than 8 hours before the blood test. For this reason, it is recommended to perform all procedures in the morning, on an empty stomach, after a dream.
- Do not change the diet before going to the test, because it is so easy to get invalid important data.
- Excessive physical stress on the body is also not recommended. The same applies to alcohol and smoking.
- You do not need to brush your teeth either, since the paste composition can contain glucose.
- There are tests that measure the glucose level for a certain time( first - on an empty stomach, then - after taking sweet water for several hours).Such research should be done without eating any food other than the recommended syrup.
- Many people ask questions about whether they can drink water before they pass the tests. Yes, it is allowed, but not in all cases. It is better to consult with the attending physician for reliability.
Before coming to a polyclinic for blood donation, you need to ask how the study is called and what actions precede the blood test for sugar, so that the result is reliable. The determination of the discrepancy with the norm will become the basis for a correct diagnosis, and then therapy will be prescribed.
Blood test for sugar at home
Already a dozen years ago, it was possible to take blood for sugar only in a polyclinic or a specialized laboratory. Now the situation has changed, and people with diabetes can check their indicators at least every day at home. Different methods are used for this, but they have a number of recommendations. The basic rule says that when carrying out an independent blood test for sugar, one should adhere to purity.
The result is always eligible for deviations, so it is worthwhile to carefully study the device manufacturer's instructions or test strips that indicate acceptable error ranges. The main ways to check blood on sugar at home:
- Glucometer. Such adaptations may be photometric or electrochemical, but the effect principle does not influence the result. It is necessary to apply a drop of blood to a disposable plate with an indicator that will transmit blood glucose data within a few seconds, and the result will be displayed on the screen. The accuracy of the glucometers is not the highest, an error in the range of 20% is allowed, so the values of this device and the analyzes in the laboratory may slightly not coincide.
- Diagnostic test for urine collection. Such paper strips are covered with a special reagent, which in a few minutes will show the result. The urine when it strikes the test strip stains it in a certain color, depending on the level of glucose. Shade with a good result depends on the manufacturer of the test, so you need to carefully read the instructions. Sugar appears in the urine when there is an excess of it, which is excreted from the body( so the internal organs cleanse the blood).The result of the test shows the state of the organism after a certain period of time. The test may indicate the presence of acetone in the urine, which is very important in diabetes mellitus.
Where the blood is taken for the glycemic analysis of
This type of tests is taken from the finger during the day several times. The study is conducted for the first time in the morning, on an empty stomach. After that the analysis will be carried out four more times, the time of the appointment will be appointed by the attending physician( the last stage will be late in the evening).During the diagnosis, the patient should eat as usual, to lead a habitual way of life. Only in this case it is possible to determine at what time of day and why the sugar level is the highest. From the veins, blood can also be taken for a glycemic test if more than one analysis is submitted, but a package.
Blood sugar in women, men, children and pregnant women
Normal levels of sugar vary depending on the time taken for blood collection. Any deviation from the accepted figures means an abnormal endocrine system and requires an immediate medical attention. So, type 2 diabetes( non-insulin) is quite possible to compensate if you limit the intake of a large amount of carbohydrates, but the insulin type one needs daily injections. In adults, children and pregnant women there can be different norms of sugar, consider them:
- Glucose in the morning, on an empty stomach should be from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / l.
- If the value falls within the frame from 5.5 to 6.0 mmol / l, then they speak of an intermediate state( a violation of glucose tolerance is diagnosed).
- For diabetics the norm of glucose in the morning can be from 6.1 and above.
- The sugar level should be below 10 mmol / l after a few hours after a meal.
- The glycosylated hemoglobin level( every three months) is below 6.5-7%.
Other glycemic assays and their interpretation of
In order for a person to understand everything about the possible threats to his health, additional sugar tests are being conducted. They can tell you about the right way of living, whether the patient eats well. Glycemic tests may also indicate an increased level of cholesterol in the blood, which also has a negative effect on overall functioning. Consider the most popular types of sugar tests.
On the sugar curve
This blood test for the sugar curve shows the glucose level before meals and after a corresponding load on the body. It is carried out from the very morning before eating( not have at least 12 hours before the analysis), and then with the use of sugar syrup( 1.75 g for each kg of body weight, but not more than 75 g at a time).The glucose level is determined after 1 hour and 2 hours after the drug taken. Such an analysis on the sugar curve is carried out by diabetics, pregnant women and people who have blood disorders.
On concealed diabetes mellitus
After lack of food, blood is given for at least 8 hours for this analysis. The regulatory value of the glucose level in this case is not more than 100 mg / dl. Diagnose a serious disease when this value is higher than 126 mg / dl. If the result of the test shows a value of 100 to 126, then doctors will report the presence of latent diabetes. After the initial delivery of blood, the patient uses glucose, and after 2 hours passes the test again. The normative value in this case will be up to 140 mg / dl. Anything above 140 and less than 200 mg / dl is considered a sign of latent diabetes.
Blood for sugar with load
More often this analysis is performed by pregnant women to determine the health status and composition of their blood. It's not about diabetes, doctors need to make sure that the mother's body cope with any load of glucose and does not create a threat to the child. In the planning of research, it is worthwhile to ask the attending physician how to prepare for the analysis of blood sugar during pregnancy, so that later not be at a loss from the new information.