Doctors prescribe a sugar test for suspected diabetes. However, regular passage of such a study is necessary even with the patient's full health. Glucose is a substance that is involved in all energy processes in the body. Deviations in sugar levels negatively affect human health. The initial stages of hypo- and hyperglycemia can be asymptomatic. In these cases, only a blood test helps determine the early signs of the disease.
Who is assigned the analysis
A blood sugar test is recommended for all healthy people about once every three years. This will help prevent the development of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular pathologies. A glucose test is also prescribed if indicated, if the patient has the following complaints:
- visual impairment;
- increased thirst and a feeling of dry mouth;
- frequent urination;
- constant feeling of tiredness;
- slow healing of wounds on the skin;
- itching
These symptoms may indicate diabetes. A blood test for sugar must also be given to pregnant women. Expectant mothers are often exposed to a special (gestational) form of sugar disease.
Who is at risk
A glucose test is also prescribed for people who have an increased risk of impaired sugar metabolism. In this case, the analysis must be taken every year. The following categories of patients are at risk:
- overweight patients;
- middle-aged and elderly people;
- patients with a hereditary predisposition to diabetes;
- patients undergoing steroid hormone treatment;
- patients with allergies and tumors;
- patients with cardiovascular pathologies.
A sugar test is prescribed not only for adults, but also for children. It is especially recommended that you take this study if your parents or immediate family members have diabetes.
Types of analyzes
There are different ways to test for glucose. Most often, the following types of sugar analysis are prescribed:
- standard;
- glucose load test;
- glucose tolerance test;
- determination of the content of HbA1 (glycated hemoglobin);
- glucose and cholesterol test.
Each of these types of tests has its own indications. Further we will consider these studies in more detail.
Standard analysis
Most often, doctors prescribe a standard analysis. Capillary blood from the finger or venous from the elbow is taken for examination.
How is sugar labeled in analyzes? The glucose value is indicated in millimoles per liter of blood (mmol / l). This unit is currently accepted in all laboratories.
The norm in decoding a blood test for sugar is considered an indicator from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / L. For biomaterial taken from a vein, an upper value of up to 6.1 mmol / L is allowed.
If in the analysis the sugar index slightly exceeds the permissible upper limit, then this indicates a predisposition to impaired glucose metabolism. The result of a study of capillary blood above 6.1 mmol, and venous - more than 7 mmol / l serves as the basis for a preliminary diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. However, to confirm the presence of pathology, additional studies are necessary.
Load test
This is a study on the sensitivity of cells to glucose. It helps to detect type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
First, a standard sugar test is taken from the patient. Next, the patient takes glucose powder. It is pre-dissolved in 300 ml of water. The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the age and weight of the patient. After 2 hours, repeat blood sampling is done.
In the decoding of a blood test for sugar with a load, indicators are recorded before taking glucose. Normally, they range from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / L. 2 hours after the glycemic load, sugar is allowed to rise to a level of 4 to 7.8 mmol / L.
If sugar after loading reaches a level of 7.8 to 11.1 mmol / L, then this indicates a prediabetic state. At higher rates, the doctor suggests a sugar illness.
It must be remembered that this study sometimes gives false results. Distortion of indicators is possible when taking certain medications, as well as increased physical and emotional stress on the eve of the study.
Glucose tolerance test
This test is similar to the previous study. First, a routine sugar analysis is performed using the standard method. Next, the patient takes glucose. Repeated analysis is carried out three times: 60 minutes after glycemic load, and then blood is taken every 30 minutes.
This study is also called the glycemic or sugar curve. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor builds a graph with a curved line that shows the sugar level after 60, 90 and 120 minutes after exercise. The interpretation of the sugar analysis carried out by this method is similar to the usual load test. Normal values are considered values from 4 to 7.8 mmol / l 2 hours after glucose intake.
Determination in blood of HbA1 (glycated hemoglobin)
This is the most informative sugar test. It allows you to identify the earliest stages of diabetes. The advantages of the test include the fact that it can be carried out both before meals and after.
Using this test, a hemoglobin index associated with glucose molecules (HbA1) is detected. The results of the analysis may be affected by the intake of vitamins, blood diseases and thyroid glands. This test is quite expensive; it is not carried out in all laboratories.
In the decoding of a blood test for sugar performed by this method, indicators are given in percent. The norm is the content of glycated hemoglobin up to 5.7%. With indicators from 5.8% to 6.4%, a person has an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism. If the content of glycated hemoglobin exceeds 6.5%, then doctors suggest diabetes.
Combined glucose and cholesterol study
Determine cholesterol and glucose will help analysis of biochemical parameters. This test combines a blood test for sugar and lipids. In addition, the study shows the level of proteins, minerals and liver enzymes.
The standards for sugar analysis are the same as for a standard study - from 3.3 to 6.1 mmol / L. Biomaterial is taken from an empty stomach vein. The analysis is usually taken in the morning.
How to independently determine blood sugar
You can find out your glucose level at home. To do this, you will need a special device - a glucometer, which can be purchased at pharmacy chains. Such a regular measurement of glucose is necessary for patients with diabetes. This allows you to control the concentration of sugar and take measures in time to bring the indicators back to normal.
Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1) should be monitored for glucose levels 4-8 times a day. For type 2 diabetes, you should check your blood sugar twice or thrice a day. Measurements are taken on an empty stomach, before meals and at bedtime.
How to prepare for analysis
How to take a sugar test? Before the study, it is very important to adhere to the rules of preparation for the study, otherwise the test results will be distorted. The following conditions must be observed.
- Before a blood test for sugar, you must stop eating 12 hours before taking the biomaterial. During this time, you can only drink clean water.
- Before the study, do not use toothpaste, chew gum and smoke.
- Before the analysis of sugar, you can not take physiotherapeutic procedures, undergo massage sessions, and also do an x-ray.
- It is necessary to exclude increased physical activity on the eve of the test.
- It is also important to avoid stress and overwork whenever possible.
Some types of analyzes require special preparation. Before conducting a test with a load on glucose tolerance, it is recommended to stop taking medications 24 hours before the study. If it is impossible to refuse medication, then you need to inform the laboratory assistant about which drugs are taken.
3 days before the test, you must exclude the use of alcohol. The study can not be done with inflammatory and infectious diseases.
The rules for preparing for biochemical analysis are the same as for the standard test. If a blood test is performed by the method of determining glycated hemoglobin, then it is acceptable at any time of the day, before meals or after. Before analysis, you must refuse to take vitamin preparations.
Nutrition Rules Before Research
Before examining blood for glucose, you must adhere to certain nutritional rules. Three days before the analysis, you need to stop eating the following foods:
- smoked meats;
- fried food;
- fats
- confectionery;
- sugar;
- spicy spices;
- alcoholic drinks.
This rule applies to all types of glucose analysis, except for the load test. Before testing for glucose tolerance, it is not recommended to limit yourself to carbohydrate intake. The patient's diet should be familiar and natural, only then the glycemic curve will show reliable results.
Possible causes of hyperglycemia
If glucose exceeds the norm, then most often this indicates a sugar illness. However, false analysis results are also possible. An increase in blood sugar may be temporary, usually due to violations of the rules of preparation for the study. False high sugar rates are noted in the following cases.
- If the patient ate before analysis.
- If the patient experienced stress and emotional distress shortly before the study.
- The cause of the false result may be physical activity on the eve of the analysis.
In addition, hyperglycemia can occur with impaired adrenal function, pituitary gland, and gonads. Uncontrolled medication can trigger a rise in glucose: hormones, diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Causes of Low Glucose
Hypoglycemia in the results of the analysis is noted less often than an increase in sugar level. Most often, such indicators are caused by an overdose of insulin. This is a rather dangerous condition that can lead to the development of hypoglycemic coma.
A decrease in blood glucose is often observed in case of poisoning, this can be a symptom of intoxication with arsenic and ethyl alcohol. Hypoglycemia is also noted in pancreatic tumors, liver diseases and gastrointestinal tract. Blood sugar levels may drop with obesity or anorexia.
How to lower glucose
If the analysis reveals a persistent increase in blood glucose, then an endocrinologist should be involved in the treatment of hyperglycemia. This condition indicates a lack of insulin in the body. Carefully follow all the recommendations of a specialist and regularly take prescribed anti-glycemic drugs.
A patient with hyperglycemia is recommended to completely exclude sugar, sweet confectionery, alcohol, coffee and white bread from the diet. The following dishes will help to establish a glucose metabolism in the body:
- buckwheat cereals and side dishes;
- juices from vegetables (beets, carrots, potatoes);
- Jerusalem artichoke;
- cabbage;
- radish;
- fresh cucumbers.
It is useful for a person suffering from hyperglycemia to include dishes from these products in their daily diet.
In addition to medicines, daily exercise will help establish a sugar metabolism. Moderate locomotor activity is useful in diabetes. At the same time, a lot of energy is spent, and glucose is consumed in large quantities, which leads to a decrease in its concentration.
If sugar is low
Too low a concentration of sugar also negatively affects the well-being of a person. Hypoglycemia leads to malnutrition of organs and tissues. First of all, the lack of energy substances affects the functions of the brain. In severe cases, a coma occurs.
A sign of glucose deficiency is dizziness, hunger, weakness, feeling of heat, trembling in the body. To prevent this condition, you need to eat regularly and avoid large gaps between meals. A lot of physical stress should also be avoided so as not to expend glucose. If a person is taking insulin, then the dosage recommended by the doctor should be strictly adhered to.
Conclusion
A sugar study can say a lot about human health. Therefore, this analysis should be done regularly, even in the absence of signs of hypo- and hyperglycemia. It is useful for diabetics to purchase a glucometer to determine the level of sugar. This will help keep blood glucose under constant control.