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High On Sugar? Get It Tested With a Blood Glucose Test

 
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If you have a high sugar and/or a high carbohydrate diet, chances are that over a period of time, you may develop a high blood sugar condition. This means, if your diet regularly includes chocolates, cakes, canned fruits, pastries, cereal bars, puddings, donuts, ice creams, barbecue sauce, energy drinks and sodas, frozen desserts, large portions of french fries, rice, pasta, JELL-O, cookies, etc., then you are a likely candidate for developing hyperglycaemic conditions. Diabetes may also occur during the time of pregnancy and is termed as gestational diabetes.

Blood glucose tests are also ordered by the doctor to test for low levels of blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

Since high blood sugar levels that go undetected and untreated for long periods potentially involve increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and loss of vision, cognitive ability, and in extreme cases, amputation of limbs with circulation problems, it is important to find out if you have the condition so you can take corrective steps.

A doctor can prescribe a blood glucose test to search for the presence and level of a particular type of sugar in your blood. There are several types of blood glucose tests dependent on what the doctor suspects and wants to find out after hearing your symptoms and doing a basic physical examination. So, if you are experiencing increased thirst, fatigue, urination or blurred vision, and seeing infections healing over a long time, then the doctor may order a blood glusoce test for you. Here is a list of the types of blood glucose tests, when they are done and how they are conducted, along with the readings and values:

1. Oral Glucose Challenge Test (OGCT) For Pregnant Women:
This test checks the presence of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. The test is done between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. You will be asked to eat a balanced diet for three days before running the test and are to not smoke or drink alcohol for atl east eight hours before the test. The test may take up to four hours to conduct, during which time you can drink water only.

A blood sample is collected before administering a glucose load.

Then, a sample containing sweet liquid made of approximately 100 grams of glucose is given to the pregnant woman being tested. It is to be consumed quickly within one or two times.

After the lapse of one hour, a small blood sample is collected from the patient again. This procedure is repeated (collecting small amounts of blood) after a two and three hour period from the time of ingesting the sweet liquid.

The reading values:

- Pre-glucose load, the reading should be around 95 mg/dL
- 1 hour after glucose load, the reading should be around 180 mg/dL
- 2 hours after glucose load, the reading should be around 155 mg/dL
- 3 hours after glucose load, the reading should be around 140 mg/dL

If two or more values meet or exceed the target level, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

Sometimes a glucose load of 50 grams can be used in the sweet liquid; the readings will change accordingly. Also tests at only 1 hour will be conducted. Similarly, a 75 gram glucose load will test for glucose after 1 and 2 hours, without going for the 3 hour post-ingestion test.

2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) For The Non-Pregnant
A glucose sample containing sweet liquid made of approximately 75 grams of glucose is given to the person being tested. It is to be taken quickly within 1 or 2 tries. A blood sample is then drawn from the person 2 hours after this ingestion.

Reading ranges of:
- Less than 140 mg/dL indicates normal glucose tolerance
- 140 to 200 mg/dL indicates impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes)
- More than 200 mg/dL on more than one testing occasion indicates diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the OGTT should be done twice and at different times in order to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes. (Source: Lab Tests Online; Report Title: Glucose- The Test Sample ; Author: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; URL: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/glucose/test.html )

3. Random Blood Sugar Test (RBS):
A casual blood glucose test is performed on a person regardless of when they last ate. The blood sugar levels of healthy persons do not vary widely through the course of a day. Thus, a number of casual blood glucose tests are taken during the day on a person. A wide variation will signal malfunctioning pancreas.

Reading ranges for an adult:
- 70-140 mL/dL indicates normal blood glucose
- 140-200 mL/dL implies existence of pre-diabetic conditions
- More than 200 mL/dL indicates diabetes
- A reading of 140 mL/dL requires further confirmatory tests such as a Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) test.

4. 10-12 Hour Fasting Blood Sugar Test (FBS):
For taking this test, your doctor will ask you to fast (no food or drinks) for a period of 10-12 hours before the blood is drawn out. However, water may be consumed during the fasting period. On the appointed time, you will report to the blood collection center of the clinic where a small amount of blood will be drawn from your arm or inner forearm (opposite side of the elbow) which has thinner skin and is rich in arteries.

Reading ranges of: (Source: WebMD.com; Article Title: Blood Glucose; Author: Christine Wendt, R.D., L.D. ; URL: http://diabetes.webmd.com/blood-glucose?page=3)

- 70-99 mg/dL indicates normal fasting glucose
- 100-125 mg/dL indicates impaired fasting glucose (pre-diabetes)
- More than 126 mg/dL (on more than one testing occasion) indicates diabetes

The ADA states the FBS should be conducted twice and at different times in order to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.

5. 2-Hour Postprandial Blood Sugar Test (PPG):
This test measures your blood glucose levels exactly 2 hours after you begin eating a meal. The ADA recommends a postprandial glucose level under 180 mg/dL and a preprandial plasma glucose between 90-130 mg/dL. (Source: American Diabetes Association. January 2006 Diabetes Care. "Standards of Medical Care-Table 6 and Table 7, Correlation between A1C level and Mean Plasma Glucose Levels on Multiple Testing over 2-3 months." Vol. 29 Supplement 1 Pages 51-580.)

6. Home Testing Kits:
If you have been clinically diagnosed as having diabetes, you may use one of the FDA approved and/or ADA recommended kits called glucometers, which are available at supermarkets to test your blood glucose levels. You will need to understand how to use it with the help of your doctor or diabetes educator. This will help you monitor your blood glucose levels at different points of time in the day and let you know if your medication, diet and exercises are working for you.

INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IS TO BE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE IMPLEMENTING OR TAKING THEM AS STANDARD OR VERIFIED.

Mamta Singh is a published author of the books Migraines for the Informed Woman (Publisher: Rupa & Co. URL: http://www.amazon.com/Migraines-Informed-Woman-Tips-Sufferer/dp/8129115174/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298990756&sr=1-2), the upcoming Rev Up Your Life! (Publisher: Hay House India) and Mentor Your Mind (Publisher: Sterling Publishers). She is also a seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. Mamta is an NCFE-certified Holistic Health Therapist SAC Dip U.K. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. She runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognised Art of Living Foundation.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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