Blood sugar test: normal, diabetes and prediabetes. Analysis decoding. Blood test for sugar: types of tests and interpretation of results. Which test determines blood sugar?

When the blood sugar level changes in the human body, he may not even be aware of it, which is why specialists include a blood sugar test on the list of mandatory procedures during routine examinations. It is especially important not to ignore getting tested for people who suffer from obesity and who have a family history of people with diabetes.

Why do you need a blood sugar test?

Glucose (the same sugar) is a monosaccharide, without which normal functioning of the body is impossible, since sugar is the main source of energy. Without sugar, not a single cell in the human body can function.

The sugar that is contained in the food we consume, entering the body, is broken down with the help of insulin and enters the blood. The more glucose the body receives, the more insulin is required to process it. But the pancreas is capable of producing a limited amount of insulin, therefore, excess sugar finds “shelter” in the liver, muscle tissue and any other available places. When sugar begins to accumulate in other organs, the level of glucose in the blood increases.

Blood sugar levels can be disrupted due to a lack of glucose and impaired function of the pancreas, the organ responsible for producing insulin.

It is in order to record blood sugar levels, surges in their increase or decrease, that specialists prescribe a blood sugar test. Moreover, sometimes this test is taken for preventive purposes in order to exclude a disease such as diabetes.

Blood chemistry

This blood test is often used for general examination, therapy, gastroenterology, rheumatology and other areas. It allows you to determine the state of the internal organs and systems of the body. The analysis is taken from a vein on an empty stomach in the morning.

Here is an example of a card that is filled out after a patient donates blood:

To be able to correctly decrypt data, you need to know the rules. These are indicators that do not threaten a person’s health, but if the analysis indicators go beyond the normal range, no matter whether it’s up or down, then this becomes a reason for additional studies that the doctor prescribes.

If you take a biochemical blood test, the normal values ​​will depend on age:

• in children under 2 years of age, the norm is considered to be from 2.78 to 4.4 mmol/l;
• at the age of 2 to 6 years, the norm will be the following range – from 3.3 to 5 mmol/l;
• for schoolchildren, the normal range is from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/l;
• the norm for an adult is considered to be a range of t 3.88 to 5.83 mmol/l;
• in old age, the normal range is considered to be from 3.3 to 6.6 mmol/l.

You can lift the curtain on complex medical terms and meanings by watching a special video in which a doctor deciphers the readings of a blood test and explains what this or that designation in the analysis means and how these indicators can affect health, what they tell about the state of the body.

Blood test for glucose tolerance

The study is carried out on an empty stomach with a load. The load here means the following: the subject comes to the laboratory and donates blood on an empty stomach, 5 minutes after the blood is taken he is given a glass of water with dissolved glucose to drink. Next, the laboratory technician takes blood every half hour for 2 hours. This research method makes it possible to fix the level of glucose in the blood plasma.

If a glucose tolerance test is carried out with a load, then the normal indicators will be common for everyone - for men, and for women, and for children. The normal limits for this study are no more than 7.8 mmol. But it should be noted that the exact indicators of the norm depend on the age of the patient:

This study is also prescribed to women carrying a child, as there is a risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, which can cause complications during childbirth and harm the health of the child if measures are not taken and glucose is not brought under control.

This test is also called HbA1C. It shows your blood glucose levels as a percentage over the past three months. It can be taken at any convenient time. It is considered the most accurate because it helps determine how your glucose balance has fluctuated recently. Based on these indicators, specialists often make adjustments to the diabetes control program for patients.

As for glycated hemoglobin, the normal value here does not depend on the age and gender of the subject, and is equal to 5.7%. If during this test the final figures show a value greater than 6.5%, then there is a risk of diabetes.

There are also indicators of the target level of glycated hemoglobin, which are determined by the age of the patient. The breakdown of indicators is presented in the table:

If the results of the test showed some deviations, this is not yet a reason to sound the alarm, because such a phenomenon can be caused not by internal pathology, but by external factors, such as stress. It is believed that sugar levels may decrease in people who are prone to anxiety disorders.

Preparing for a blood sugar test

Despite the fact that no special preparation is required when taking the described test, experts still recommend taking a few tips into account and minimally preparing for the test so that you don’t have to retake it:

• A blood sugar test must be taken on an empty stomach. But this does not mean that it is enough to simply not eat in the morning. The term “on an empty stomach” means that at least 8 hours, or better yet 12 hours, have passed from the moment of the last meal to the moment of blood sampling for analysis. In this case, it is allowed to drink only water, clean, non-carbonated, and especially not sweet.
• 2 days before the scheduled test, it is recommended to avoid eating fatty foods, fried foods and alcoholic beverages. If, however, there was a feast before the test, then it is better not to waste time and come to take the test 2 days later than scheduled.
• A blood sugar test is taken only in the morning, it is advisable to do this before 9 o’clock in the morning, but it is better to arrive at the time the laboratory opens, that is, at 7 o’clock.
• If the test fluid is taken from a vein, then stressful situations and heavy physical exertion should be avoided the day before. Even specialists, before starting the procedure, give the patient 10-15 minutes of rest to calm down after the trip to the laboratory.
• The test must be taken before starting to take any medications, especially if they are antibiotics. You must either wait until the start of the course of medication, or wait until the end of the course of treatment, and only then undergo tests.
• You cannot donate blood after X-rays, rectal examinations and physiotherapeutic procedures.
• Some people have a hard time taking blood, especially on an empty stomach, so after the test it is advisable to remain at rest for some time so as not to faint. In such cases, you need to take ammonia with you.

It is very important to undergo these studies not only for diabetics, but also for healthy people, since these tests help to notice pathology in time and begin timely further examination and treatment. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to donate blood for sugar twice a year with an interval of 6 months.

Blood sugar analysis is the most reliable and objective indicator of the health status of people with diabetes. Deciphering a blood sugar test is necessary in order to understand how serious the situation is with such an insidious disease as diabetes, because often there are no symptoms at all.

What does a blood sugar test show?

Patients with diabetes undergo a blood test, regardless of the type of diabetes. A blood test allows you to assess the state of the body's metabolic systems and make a decision on treatment tactics for diabetics. The analysis evaluates indicators such as glucose in the blood plasma, as well as the percentage of glycated hemoglobin.

Glucose is the main and most necessary source of energy for all tissues of the human body, especially the brain. Normally, the analysis determines glucose in the range from 3 mmol/l to 6 mmol/l, which is the physiological values ​​of glycemia. Glucose can be measured both in capillary blood, using a mini-glucometer, and in venous blood, using a stationary analyzer. The concentration of glucose in the plasma of capillary blood and venous blood may differ slightly; on average, fluctuations in the sugar level of 1 mmol/l are allowed.

Glucose levels are determined in a clinical laboratory using an automatic analyzer

Why is glucose determination needed?

Blood sugar is the main indicator reflecting the functioning of carbohydrate metabolism in the human body. A whole cascade of organs and systems is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism in the body, so that the level of glucose in plasma and hemoglobin can be used to judge the functional activity of organs and systems such as the pancreas, liver, and neurohumoral system.

Monitoring plasma glucose levels is especially important in people suffering from various forms of diabetes mellitus.. In diabetes, there is a disruption in the production of basal insulin, the hormone responsible for the utilization of glucose, which leads to the accumulation of the latter in the blood, while the body's cells literally begin to starve and experience an energy deficit. For patients with insulin-dependent type of diabetes, constant monitoring of blood glycemia is vital, since an overdose of insulin or its deficiency significantly affects the progression of diabetes mellitus. Only with the help of constant determination of sugar is it possible to keep glucose in optimal values.

Rules for conducting analysis

To increase the accuracy of the analysis results and obtain the most objective data on the chemical composition of the blood before taking the test, you must adhere to some rules:

• It is necessary to stop consuming alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing products at least one day before the test. Alcohol significantly affects the composition of the blood.
• It is recommended to take your last meal 10 hours before taking a sugar test, i.e. on an empty stomach. However, drinking plain water without additives is not prohibited.
• On the day of the actual sugar test, you should skip morning brushing of your teeth, since many toothpastes contain sugar, which can enter the gastrointestinal tract. The situation is similar with chewing gum.

By adhering to the simple rules described above, you can achieve the most adequate and accurate result of sugar concentration. The described rules are general and do not depend on the location of blood collection, be it from a finger or a vein.

Blood from a finger

Allows for rapid diagnosis of glucose levels in plasma of peripheral capillary blood, which is not the most accurate, but valuable indicator. This method can be easily implemented at home. A wide range of portable glucose meters are available for such home testing. However, for such control at home, it is necessary to comply with technical control measures for the glucometer, because storing test strips in an open state leads to their unusability. Be sure to strictly follow the technical specifications and instructions included with the meter!

Blood from a vein

Venous blood collection is carried out in an outpatient or inpatient setting, i.e. in the hospital. Blood from a vein is taken in a volume of 3-5 ml. A larger amount of blood taken is necessary to determine the chemical composition of blood in an automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer allows you to obtain the most accurate data on your glycemic level.

The procedure for collecting venous blood to determine glucose concentration is no different

Results standards

To correctly interpret the analysis, you need to know the norms of glucose concentration and in what quantities they are measured. Most results sheets have normal concentration ranges next to the values ​​to make it easier to understand the numbers and results.

How is glucose indicated on the form? If with glucometers everything is very clear - they display only data related to glucose, then with automatic analyzers things are more complicated, since biochemical analysis often determines a large number of other substances. On domestic forms, glucose is designated as such, but on foreign analyzers, sugar is designated as GLU, which is translated from Latin as glucose (sugar). The normal level of glycemia is from 3.33 to 6.5 mmol/l - these norms are typical for adults. For children, the norms are slightly different. They are lower than those of adults. From 3.33 to 5.55 – in children of primary school age, and in newborns – from 2.7 to 4.5 mmol/l.

It is important to note that analyzers from different companies interpret the results slightly differently, but all standards remain within a range of less than 1 mmol/l.

Although most blood tests measure sugar in mol/L, some analyzers may use units such as mg/dL or mg%. To convert these values ​​to mol/L, simply divide the result by 18.

Results below normal

When the concentration of glucose in the blood falls below physiological values, this condition is called hypoglycemia. It is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. A person is worried about a feeling of weakness, drowsiness and hunger. Reasons for low glucose levels may include:

• fasting or lack of carbohydrate foods;
• incorrect dose of insulin;
• hypersecretion of own insulin;
• strong physical activity;
• neurohumoral diseases;
• liver damage.

All these conditions can lead to either a sharp decrease in sugar or a gradual decrease, which can be easily missed due to the absence of pronounced symptoms.

Results above normal

When plasma glucose concentrations are higher than normal values, a condition called hyperglycemia occurs. Hyperglycemia may be associated with the following conditions:

• violation of blood donation rules;
• mental or physical stress during the test;
• endocrine disorders;
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
• poisoning

Specialized Glucose Tests

For endocrinologists, when forming patient management tactics, data on the concentration of glucose in peripheral blood is not enough; for this, patients with diabetes mellitus undergo special laboratory blood tests for sugar, which determine parameters such as glycosylated or glycated hemoglobin, a glucose tolerance test.

Glycated hemoglobin is the concentration of sugar as a percentage in the blood protein - hemoglobin. The norm is considered to be 4.8 - 6% of the total protein volume. Glycated hemoglobin is an indicator of carbohydrate metabolism in the body over the past 3 months.

A tolerance test is carried out for all patients with suspected diabetes mellitus, and is based on a glucose load test with determination of sugar levels at certain time intervals of 60, 90 and 120 minutes after consuming 75 g of glucose solution.

A blood sugar test is a mandatory diagnostic method in the presence of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in a patient, as well as in cases of suspected diseases, the development of which is provoked by a lack or excess of glucose levels in the blood. Being the main consumable material of the body, before absorption, glucose breaks down into sugar; without its help, brain activity is impossible. When there is a lack of sugar in the blood, energy begins to come from fat reserves; fats are broken down into ketone bodies and poison the body. Excess glucose provokes the development of more serious complications, primarily diabetes.

Normal blood glucose level

Normal sugar levels do not differ between women and men. The interpretation of a blood sugar test taken from a finger and from a vein differs by approximately 12% (the norm is higher for tests taken from a vein). Normal concentrations in children and adults are in different categories. The unit of measurement is mol/liter; less commonly, indicators are measured in mg/100 ml, mg%, and mg/dl. When performing a biochemical analysis, the indicator is indicated as “glucose” or “Glu”.

In adults

In adults, the normal concentration of glucose in the blood varies between 3.5-5.5 mmol/liter, provided that the material is taken on an empty stomach and from a finger. If the analysis is carried out by taking blood from a vein, the indicator can vary from 3.7 to 6.1 mmol/liter. Decoding the analysis with a reading of up to 6 (from a finger) and up to 6.9 (from a vein) indicates prediabetes. Prediabetes is a borderline condition and is also called impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is established when the value is above 6.1 mmol/l from a finger, and above 7 mmol/l from a vein.

In adults after eating

Sometimes situations arise when you have to take a blood sugar test immediately, that is, not on an empty stomach; in this case, the normal values ​​vary from 4 to 7.8 mmol/l. Deviation of the norm to a smaller or, conversely, larger direction requires re-analysis or additional examination.

In children on an empty stomach

When conducting a test in newborns under one year of age, values ​​from 2.8 to 4.4 mmol/liter are considered normal. The norm for children aged 1 to 5 years is 3.3-5.0 mol/l. For children over five years of age, the normal blood glucose concentration is identical to that in adults; values ​​above 6.1 mmol/l indicate diabetes mellitus.

In pregnant women

Pregnancy often “forces” the body to work in a new way; various malfunctions often occur, due to which the indicators of many tests deviate from natural norms, including indicators of blood sugar levels. The norm for pregnant women is considered to be values ​​from 3.8 to 5.8 mmol/liter, if the material is taken from a finger. If a value above 6.1 mmol/l is obtained, additional examination is required.

Doctors diagnose some pregnant women with gestational diabetes. The pathological process occurs in the second and third trimester and stops on its own after the birth of the child. However, there are cases when, after childbirth, gestational diabetes turns into diabetes mellitus. For timely elimination of the disease and its prevention throughout the entire period of gestation, you need to take a sugar test.

Table with a breakdown of laboratory analysis results:

Symptoms of changes in sugar levels

Any abnormality in the body, including a decrease or increase in blood sugar levels, has certain symptoms. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner when signs of a pathological condition are detected, you can miss the onset of the development of the disease and start its course, while curing the disease will become more difficult.

Signs of low blood glucose

When the concentration of glucose in the blood decreases, the adrenal glands and nerve endings are the first to respond in the body; their reaction is due to the increased secretion of adrenaline, which begins to activate the release of sugar reserves.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia:

• increased nervousness, anxiety;
• trembling and chills;
• dizziness;
• rapid heartbeat (tachycardia);
• feeling of hunger;
• general weakness and fatigue;
• headaches;
• visual impairment.

In advanced cases, confusion, convulsions, and coma are also possible.

A person’s sensations with low blood sugar levels are similar to those of alcohol or drug intoxication. If glucose deficiency is observed over a long period of time, brain damage to the head may occur and cannot be restored, so control and normalization of indicators must be immediate.

You should not think that hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are two completely different conditions that do not overlap. Low blood sugar is often observed in patients with diabetes. Sugar spikes can be caused by the disease itself, as well as side effects from taking medications.

Signs of high blood glucose

The main symptom of high blood sugar is a constant feeling of thirst, it is complemented by other characteristic signs:

• frequent urination with increased volume of fluid;
• dry mouth;
• itching and scratching of the skin;
• itching of the mucous membranes, especially pronounced in intimate areas;
• increased fatigue and weakness.

Symptoms of elevated glucose concentrations and diabetes mellitus are not always pronounced, so for many patients, deciphering the analysis of sugar levels brings unexpected results. It should be understood that even in the absence of symptoms, the disease has a negative effect on the body.

Long-term excess glucose affects the functioning of internal organs. In patients, vision deteriorates; the pathological process provokes retinal detachment, and in advanced cases can lead to complete blindness. Excess glucose is a risk factor for the development of heart attacks and strokes, kidney failure, and gangrene of the extremities. People with high sugar levels should constantly monitor their levels so that they can be regulated in a timely manner.

Who needs to donate blood

A sugar test is necessary for patients who have already been diagnosed with diabetes; they must constantly, ideally daily, measure the indicators, and if they deviate from the norm, take measures to stabilize the value. Not only the quality of life of people with diabetes, but also their very existence depends on such procedures.

People who have relatives with diabetes, as well as patients who are obese, should undergo an annual examination. People who do not have a predisposition to pathology are recommended to take a blood sugar test once every 3 years after reaching the age of 40 years. The frequency of testing for blood glucose concentrations for pregnant women is prescribed by the doctor; ideally, patients awaiting replenishment of their offspring should be tested for sugar once a month, as well as every time other blood tests are performed.

Factors affecting blood sugar levels

The table shows conditions that affect the concentration of glucose in the blood, increasing or decreasing it.

Rules for taking the analysis

Before taking a blood sugar test, you need to know how to prepare for it. Proper preparation will significantly save time; the patient will not need to be diagnosed again or take additional tests.

On the eve of collecting the material, it is important to follow simple preparation rules:

• donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach, that is, you cannot eat before taking the test;
• The last meal is allowed 8-12 hours before the diagnostic event;
• You should also not brush your teeth, as the toothpaste may contain sugar, or chew gum;
• one day before a blood sugar test, you should stop drinking drinks containing alcohol and spirits;
• You should not take the test after physical or nervous strain, or in a state of stress.

Carrying out a home analysis

People suffering from diabetes mellitus, as well as older people, are recommended to carry out home diagnostics using special portable devices - glucometers. Deciphering the analysis takes only a few seconds, so you can quickly take the necessary measures to normalize the amount of glucose in the blood without going to the hospital to get coupons.

Note! If used incorrectly and the preparation rules are not followed, the glucometer may show an erroneous result, most often this happens when the test is carried out with a damaged test strip. Control analysis should be carried out in a laboratory.

Conducting additional research

In some cases, a basic test for the amount of sugar in the blood is not enough; in such situations, the patient may be prescribed additional tests. There are three additional methods for diagnosing blood glucose concentrations:

• OGTT is a test to determine glucose tolerance, performed orally;
• Glucose load test;
• HbA1c – determination of the amount of glycated hemoglobin.

OGTT

An oral glucose tolerance test is also called a sugar curve; it requires several samples of material. The first time blood is taken on an empty stomach, then the patient drinks a certain amount of glucose solution. The second sampling of material is carried out an hour after consuming the solution. The third time blood is taken an hour and a half after drinking the solution. The fourth sampling is carried out two hours after drinking the drug. When comparing the information received, the test allows you to determine how quickly sugar is absorbed.

Glucose load test

A similar test is carried out twice. The first time blood is taken on an empty stomach, then the patient drinks 75 grams of glucose solution. The second time the material is collected two hours after consuming the glucose solution. Before carrying out this analysis, you should not eat, drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, move actively, or vice versa, just lie down or sleep, all these factors will affect the final result.

If the sugar level is no more than 7.8 mmol/liter, that is considered normal. If the readings range from 7.8 to 11 mmol/liter, the condition can be considered prediabetes. At levels above 11 mmol/liter, patients are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

HbA1c

Determining the level of glycated hemoglobin allows you to identify long-term excess blood sugar levels (up to three months). This analysis is carried out in laboratory conditions. The normal blood sugar level varies from 4.8 to 5.9% relative to the total amount of hemoglobin.

Carrying out tests to determine blood sugar levels plays an important role not only in the treatment, but also in the prevention of diabetes and other pathologies that develop against the background of a low or high dosage of glucose in the blood. It is necessary to follow the basic rules and take tests at the frequency established by doctors, this will allow you to respond in a timely manner to changes occurring in the body.

Blood sugar is the value through which doctors will be able to detect diabetes in a patient, because this disease does not manifest itself outwardly at the initial stage. Using a sugar test, specialists will be able to determine the level of glucose in the blood, because it is what nourishes the body’s cells and supplies energy. Today we will tell you more about sugar analysis and its standards.

In the human body, sugar is present in the form of glucose. It is a source of biological energy, which is needed for the functioning of all organs and systems.

Important! In analyses, sugar is designated as GLU (hereinafter).

A normal GLU level indicates that everything is normal with carbohydrate metabolism. A change in the indicator is a sign of the development of pathologies and can have adverse consequences. That is why it is important to monitor its quantity. This can be done through a number of diagnostic tests, which you can read more about right now.

What tests are taken to determine sugar?

Glucose levels are determined by its content in urine or blood. Let's start with a urine test:

Urine examination

One way to determine the amount of glucose in the body is a special urine test. Normally, sugar is present in it even in completely healthy people, but its amount is so insignificant (from 0.06 - 0.08 mmol/l) that the analysis does not reveal it.

The appearance of glucose in the urine is called glucosuria and indicates the presence of pathologies such as:

• hyperthyroidism (hyperfunction of the thyroid gland);
• diabetes;
• acute toxic poisoning;
• kidney and liver dysfunction;
• disorders of the central nervous system;
• infectious lesions.

Important! The appearance of sugar in urine in childhood is of particular concern. This may indicate endocrine problems.

Urine testing for sugar is done in three ways. For this purpose, research is prescribed:

• a single portion of urine;
• daily diuresis;
• urine collected at certain time intervals.

Attention! Sometimes a high glucose level is due to physiological reasons: taking antibiotics; consuming large amounts of vitamin C or its preparations; the predominance of sweet foods on the eve of the study.

In such cases, the doctor may prescribe a repeat study so as not to make a mistake with the diagnosis.

It happens that in addition to glucose, acetone is detected in the urine. The combination of these two components clearly indicates the development of diabetes mellitus.

Blood test

A blood sugar test can identify serious pathologies such as diabetes mellitus and the appearance of tumors in the structures of the brain. For this purpose, there are the following types of analyzes:

Blood sugar levels in adults

The normal blood glucose level in people over 14 years of age, regardless of gender, is in the range of 3.2 – 5.5 mmol/l; biomaterial is taken from a finger on an empty stomach.

When assessing the glucose level in biomaterial taken from a vein, the maximum normal value increases to 6.2 mmol/l.

When there is a significant excess (more than 7.0 mmol/l), we can assume the development of a prediabetic state, which means a disruption in the process of absorption of monosaccharides: a “hungry” body copes with regulating glucose levels, and after consuming carbohydrate-containing foods, it produces an inadequate amount of insulin.

As for blood glucose in women, it can “grow” slightly during menopause and reach 5.9 mmol/l, and after 60 years – 6.2 mmol/l. During the cessation of regulation (menstruation) and in the subsequent period, serious hormonal changes in the body occur. The risk of developing various pathologies increases. Therefore, it is necessary to visit an endocrinologist periodically (once a year) in order to promptly identify disorders in the body and begin therapy.

It is especially worth highlighting the features of carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant women, but more on that later.

Blood sugar levels in children

In children, normal blood glucose levels should be within the range:

• 2.8 – 4.4 mmol/l – in the first year of life;
• 3.3 – 5.0 mmol/l – from one to five years;
• 3.3 – 5.5 mmol/l – after the fifth birthday.

In the diagnosis of various pathologies, a blood test for fructosamine, mentioned above, is used. The normal level of this parameter for children over 14 years of age is considered to be 205–285 µmol/l, and for younger children – 195–271 µmol/l.

Too high numbers may indicate the presence of:

• diabetes mellitus;
• hypofunction of the thyroid gland;
• adverse processes, including tumors, in brain structures.

Low fructosamine levels are a sign of nephrotic syndrome, a condition characterized by generalized edema.

Blood sugar in pregnant women

A blood glucose test is included in the list of mandatory tests for pregnant women.

During pregnancy, sugar levels increase slightly. Normal values ​​increase to 4.6 – 6.7 mmol/l. This is due to the action of hormones produced by the placenta. If the main “control” functions of glucose levels are assigned to insulin, which normally protects the body from excess glucose, then during pregnancy this process is disrupted and sugar “rises.”

When the maximum value is exceeded, doctors note gestational diabetes - reduced sensitivity of cells to their own insulin. This situation may be a sign of diabetes in a woman, which arose even before pregnancy, but due to the absence of obvious symptoms, she was not aware of it.

In any case, deviations of clinical blood parameters from the norm during pregnancy require correction. It is successfully carried out and allows:

• carry the pregnancy to full term;
• avoid possible complications.

Important! An increase in glucose levels in pregnant women can also be observed in the urine. A one-time “jump” is not a reason to suspect pathologies. The diagnosis is made after repeated collection of biomaterial for analysis, as well as based on the results of other studies prescribed by the gynecologist.

To summarize this article, I would like to say that the sugar level in the body is one of the most important indicators of health. Timely checking of this parameter allows you to evaluate the functioning of organs and systems, as well as identify pathologies at the initial stage. Therefore, it is worth checking for sugar at least once a year.

For more information about blood sugar testing, watch the following video:

Everyone needs to have their blood tested for sugar from time to time. Even if you feel great. There is no hassle or discomfort, and the benefits are obvious.

There are many tests for sugar levels: taking blood from a vein, from a finger, with or without a load, and even such a completely incomprehensible “beast” as glycated hemoglobin. Which ones do you need and how should you understand their results?
Oleg UDOVICHENKO, candidate of medical sciences, endocrinologist at the Prima Medica medical center answers the questions.

What are the signs of increased blood sugar levels?

The classic symptom is constant thirst. Also alarming are an increase in the amount of urine (due to the appearance of glucose in it), endless dry mouth, itching of the skin and mucous membranes (usually the genitals), general weakness, fatigue, and boils. If you notice at least one symptom, and especially a combination of them, it is better not to guess, but to visit a doctor. Or just take a finger prick blood test for sugar in the morning on an empty stomach.

THE SECRET OF FIVE MILLION In Russia, more than 2.6 million people with diabetes are officially registered, and 90% of them have type 2 diabetes. According to control and epidemiological studies, the number even reaches 8 million. The most unpleasant thing is that two thirds of people with diabetes (more than 5 million people) are unaware of their problem.

With type 2 diabetes mellitus, half of the patients have no characteristic symptoms. So, does everyone need to check their sugar levels periodically?

Yes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends testing every 3 years after age 40. If you are at risk (overweight, have relatives with diabetes), then annually. This allows you not to start the disease and not lead to complications.

What blood sugar levels are considered normal?

If you donate blood from a finger prick (on an empty stomach):
3.3-5.5 mmol/l is the norm, regardless of age;
5.5-6.0 mmol/l - prediabetes, intermediate state. It is also called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG);
6.1 mmol/l and above - diabetes mellitus.
If blood was taken from a vein (also on an empty stomach), the norm is approximately 12% higher - up to 6.1 mmol/l (diabetes mellitus - if above 7.0 mmol/l).

Which analysis is more accurate - express or laboratory?

In a number of medical centers, a blood sugar test is performed using an express method (glucometer). In addition, a glucometer is very convenient to check your sugar levels at home. But the results of express analysis are considered preliminary; they are less accurate than those performed using laboratory equipment. Therefore, if there is a deviation from the norm, it is necessary to retake the test in the laboratory (usually venous blood is used for this).

Are the results always accurate?

Yes. If there are severe symptoms of diabetes, a single check is enough. If there are no symptoms, the diagnosis of diabetes is made if the sugar level is detected 2 times (on different days) above normal.

I can't believe the diagnosis. Is there a way to clarify it?

There is another test, which in some cases is performed to diagnose diabetes: a “sugar load” test. The blood sugar level is determined on an empty stomach, then you drink 75 g of glucose in the form of syrup and after 2 hours you donate blood again for sugar and check the result:
up to 7.8 mmol/l is normal;
7.8-11.00 mmol/l - prediabetes;
above 11.1 mmol/l - diabetes.

You can eat as usual before the test. For 2 hours between the first and second tests, you should not eat, smoke, or drink; It is undesirable to walk (physical activity reduces sugar) or, conversely, to sleep and lie in bed - all this can distort the results.

The interval between the last meal and the time of taking a sugar test should be at least eight hours.

MINUS WEIGHT - STOP, DIABETES!
An approximate formula will tell you to what level to reduce weight: height (in cm) - 100 kg. Practice shows that to improve well-being, it is enough to reduce weight by 10-15%.
More precise formula:
Body mass index (BMI) = body weight (kg) : height squared (m2).
18.5-24.9 is normal;
25.0 -29.9 - overweight (1st degree of obesity);
30.0-34.9 - 2nd degree of obesity; risk of diabetes;
35.0-44.9 - 3rd degree; risk of diabetes.

What influences the result of the analysis?

Any examination for sugar should be carried out against the background of a normal diet. There is no need to follow any special diet or give up sweets; True, even after a stormy feast it’s not worth going to the laboratory the next morning. You should not take tests against the background of any acute conditions, be it a cold, injury or myocardial infarction. During pregnancy, the diagnostic criteria will also be different.

Why do you need a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test?

The HbA1c indicator reflects the average daily blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. This test is not used today to diagnose diabetes due to problems with standardization of the technique. The HbA1c value can be affected by kidney damage, blood lipid levels, the presence of abnormal hemoglobin, etc. An increased glycated hemoglobin level can mean not only diabetes and increased glucose tolerance, but also, for example, iron deficiency anemia.

But an HbA1c test is needed for those who have already been diagnosed with diabetes. It is recommended to take it immediately after diagnosis, and then retake it every 3-4 months (blood from a vein on an empty stomach). This will be a kind of assessment of how you control your blood sugar levels. By the way, the result depends on the method used, so in order to track changes in hemoglobin, you need to find out what method was used in a given laboratory.

What should I do if I have been diagnosed with prediabetes?

Prediabetes is the very beginning of a carbohydrate metabolism disorder, a signal that you have entered the danger zone. It is necessary, firstly, to urgently get rid of excess weight (as a rule, such patients have it), and secondly, to attend to reducing sugar levels. A little more and you'll be late.

Limit your food intake to 1500-1800 kcal per day (depending on your initial weight and diet), refuse pastries, sweets, and cakes; steam, boil, bake without using oil. You can lose weight by simply replacing sausages with an equal amount of boiled meat or chicken fillet; mayonnaise and full-fat sour cream in the salad - with fermented milk yogurt or low-fat sour cream, and instead of butter, put cucumber or tomato on bread. Eat 5-6 times a day.

It is very useful to consult a nutritionist-endocrinologist about proper nutrition. Include daily fitness: swimming, water aerobics, Pilates... People with hereditary risk, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, even at the stage of prediabetes, are prescribed sugar-lowering medications.