Finger blood test: sugar rate in men, women and children

Sugar is a complex carbohydrate that has good digestibility in body tissues and has a positive effect on brain activity. In addition, it normalizes the work of certain muscle groups. With its minimum intake, in an amount of not more than 50 grams, it is useful, as it provides the body with energy. The well-being of the individual and the absence or presence of diabetes mellitus depend on its content in the body. When taking biomaterial from a finger for sugar, the norm of which is 3.3–5.5 mmol / l, the doctor receives information about his blood level, and this is one of the health criteria. According to this indicator, hormonal failure and carbohydrate metabolism are assessed.

How is glucose regulated?

Reduces blood sugar hormone insulin. Its production occurs in the cells of the pancreas. However, hormones that increase it are synthesized in the body of an individual - norepinephrine, adrenaline, cortisol, corticosterone, glucagon. The latter is a carbohydrate reserve, the consumption of which is carried out with a lack of glucose and in between meals. Stimulation of hormonal processes depends on the autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic division increases, and the parasympathetic division reduces the concentration of glucose. Blood is taken for examination in the morning from a finger. The sugar rate does not depend on the gender and age of the individual. The term "glycemia" refers to the level of glucose in the blood. Due to neurohumoral regulation, an optimal glucose concentration is maintained in the body of the individual. Some pathologies contribute to lowering sugar and cause hypoglycemia, others, on the contrary, hyperglycemia. In the first case, it is:

• Glycogen deficiency due to a strict diet, excessive restriction of carbohydrates, prolonged physical activity.
• Overdose of salicylates and antihistamines.
• Liver failure.
• Glucagon deficiency due to pancreatic resection.
• Failure of glucose absorption in the digestive tract.
• Taking anabolic drugs, amphetamines, or Anaprilin.
• Some endocrine abnormalities.
• Poisoning by poisons and alcohol-containing liquids.
• Neoplasms synthesizing hormonal substances that enhance the action of insulin.

If when examining biomaterial from a finger for sugar, the norm is too high, then this is hyperglycemia, which provokes:

• Diabetes mellitus is the main reason for excess glucose in excess. The danger of its occurrence is higher for people who have crossed the sixty-year milestone. The main reason is serious changes in the hormonal background.
• Taking some hormonal and antihypertensive drugs.
• Inflammatory processes and tumors in the pancreas.
• Hyperthyroidism, hypercorticism syndrome, acromegaly.
• Drinking caffeinated fluids. After sixty years, the stimulating effect of this substance on the body intensifies.
• Chronic pathology of the liver, kidneys.
• A temporary increase in sugar is characteristic of conditions such as shock, injuries, burns, stroke, heart attack.
• Some hereditary anomalies.
• Hormonally active neoplasms that produce somatostatin or catecholamines.

A slight increase in sugar after emotional and physical exertion is not considered a pathology.

The norm of blood sugar (mmol / l)

Regardless of gender, age, or race, the rate of sugar in the blood from a finger is approximately the same for all individuals. The average acceptable range is quite wide, the minimum figure is 3.3 and the maximum is 5.5.

Under the influence of hormonal and age-related changes in women, norms can shift. For example, starting from fourteen to sixty years, the permissible corridor is from 4.1 to 5.9; after sixty - 6.0 will also be considered the norm. In this case, slight fluctuations in both directions are possible.

If, according to the research results, the sugar level before breakfast was 6.7, this indicates diabetes. For confirmation, it is recommended to take a few additional blood tests:

• glucose tolerance;
• glycosylated hemoglobin;
• on glucose (repeatedly).

When sampling biomaterial from a finger, the sugar norm in men after 60 on an empty stomach is from 5.5 to 6.0.

Men and women over forty need to monitor their health well, as diabetes often develops during this period. A condition called “prediabetes” is mostly asymptomatic. The insidious thing is that it gradually leads to diabetes, in which the optimal rates are from 4 to 6. Despite the fact that blood tests for glucose after eating are not carried out, but for making diagnoses such as "prediabetes" or "diabetes mellitus" , biomaterial is taken one hundred twenty minutes after eating from a finger. In this case, the blood sugar norm is up to 7. At values ​​such as 7.8 minimum and 11 maximum, glucose tolerance failure is recorded. When the indicators are higher, this indicates the presence of the first or second type of diabetes.

Signs of high blood glucose

The risk of diabetes increases with age in both men and women. The reason is a slowdown in metabolic processes, low locomotor activity, the use of a large amount of alcohol-containing fluids, and improper nutrition. The easiest way to find out your indicators is to go through a laboratory test and check if there is a deviation from the normal level of sugar. Biomaterial is taken from a finger or from a vein; it does not matter. In both sexes, with a high sugar content, the following clinical picture is observed:

• drowsiness;
• frequent urination;
• weakness;
• dry dermis;
• constant thirst;
• pathological changes in the liver and kidneys;
• disturbances in the brain due to a lack of oxygen;
• thickening of the blood, which leads to cells not getting enough nutrients, disruption of blood flow and blood clots.

If the above symptoms appear, you should visit your doctor who will issue a referral for a blood test and consultation with an endocrinologist.

Analysis preparation

To obtain a reliable result, it is necessary to prepare for the study. Before submitting biomaterial:

• exclude alcohol in three days;
• it is forbidden to eat food, as well as any liquid for eight to ten hours;
• sleep well;
• Do not brush your teeth or use breath fresheners;
• do not take medications (as agreed with your doctor);
• do not chew gum, as it contains sucrose;
• eliminate stressful situations and heavy physical exertion.

The analysis is recommended to be rescheduled if you have recently been ill with an infectious disease or have done an X-ray, physiotherapy or rectal examination.

Woman's glucose level

Due to some physiological features, fasting sugar from a finger in women rises from time to time. However, this process cannot be called anomalous. For example, while waiting for a baby, gestational diabetes may develop, which disappears after delivery with adequate therapy. During menstruation, the results of the study are often distorted. During menopause, hormonal imbalance also affects carbohydrate metabolism, which affects glucose values. All kinds of stresses, various problems increase the risk of developing diabetes after fifty years. When moving to a more mature age, the endocrine system does not cope well with the synthesis and control of hormonal substances. During this period, careful monitoring of glycemia is necessary.

The older, the lower the energy required to support life, and also reduces the need for carbohydrates and calories. In this regard, the rate of sugar from the finger in women after sixty years is higher than in younger representatives. Glucose enters the body from food and after two hours its main part leaves the vessels, penetrating into the tissues. In old age, this requires more time, which leads to a slight increase.

Diabetes occurs when pancreatic hormone (insulin) is not able to transport glycogen. The insulin produced becomes insufficient, and excess glucose remains in the bloodstream. In this case, the rate of fasting sugar from a finger in women, as in men and children, is higher than in healthy individuals. Unfortunately, the body quickly adjusts to a gradual increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood. Therefore, the disease for some period is asymptomatic. This condition is fraught, as an imbalance leads to serious consequences leading to disability.

Glucose level in men

Control of this indicator is necessary even with perfect health, therefore, a study on fasting finger sugar, the norm of which for both sexes is in the range from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / l, is carried out during regular preventive examinations, as well as medical examinations. Deviation from acceptable values ​​is observed with age-related changes, disruptions in the endocrine system and other health problems. In old age, the lower and upper limits of the norm increase. Often, the symptoms characteristic of diabetes, men do not pay attention. This is due to bad habits or neglect of your health from the stronger sex.

The glycemia level can change several times a day, as it depends on the psycho-emotional state, nutrition, physical activity. For example, sixty minutes after eating, the rate of sugar from a finger is in the range of 6.2 to 8.7; and after one hundred and twenty minutes, from 6.2 to 7.2 mmol / L. However, after three hours, these figures should be no more than 5.5. If indicators for this period do not return to normative, then additional diagnostics are necessary. The most common causes of increased blood sugar in males are:

• past stress;
• jumps in testosterone;
• increased physical activity;
• malnutrition;
• bad habits.

If, when taking biomaterial from a finger, the sugar in men (you already know the norm) is higher than the permissible values, then a repeated study and other laboratory tests are indicated. Hyperglycemia is a risk of developing diabetes. In men, his main culprits are chronic alcoholism and obesity. Other triggering factors include:

• pancreatitis
• taking hormones to treat other pathologies;
• hyperthyroidism;
• oncology;
• history of stroke and heart attack.

The true cause is identified after a comprehensive examination.

If, when examining biomaterial from a finger for sugar (the norm should be known to everyone to control their health), their level is underestimated, then this is a dangerous condition, since hypoglycemia negatively affects sexual functions and reduces erection. Its development is facilitated by:

• psychological stress;
• physical activity incommensurable with the ability of the body;
• poor nutrition - low intake of vitamins, micro and macro elements;
• irrational consumption of simple carbohydrates;
• dehydration;
• intoxication.

Low glucose in the absence of diabetes is compensated for by a decrease in physical activity and the use of sugary foods.

Effect on the male body of high blood sugar

If, according to the results of repeated blood tests taken on an empty stomach from a finger, sugar (the norm is the same for both men and women) is increased, this leads to serious consequences:

• Disorders in the work of the kidneys - excessive fluid intake associated with constant thirst increases the load on this organ, which contributes to the development of pathological processes.
• Thrombosis - hyperglycemia thickens the blood, which complicates its flow through the vessels. Clots form as a result of stagnation.
• Potency problems - a full-fledged erection does not occur due to insufficient supply of oxygen and blood to the male genital organs. The synthesis of testosterone is reduced due to hyperglycemia, as a result of sexual desire is inhibited. Ultimately, erectile dysfunction is observed.
• Stroke, heart attack - disrupt blood circulation to the brain and heart, cholesterol deposits and thick blood.

Diabetes in 90% of cases leads to complications.

How to maintain normal glucose readings?

Even a one-time deviation from fasting blood sugar from a finger should not be neglected, since this may well be the first harbinger of endocrine disruption. To prevent diabetes, you must adhere to an active lifestyle. In addition, you need:

• Balanced nutrition - preference is given to foods enriched in fiber, pectin, dietary fiber. It is recommended to minimize or refuse fatty and fried foods. Increase water consumption to two liters per day. Take vitamins - E, groups B, A, as well as trace elements - magnesium, chromium, manganese and zinc.
• Constant sports loads, daily walking on the street.
• Complete rejection of harmful addictions.
• Regular visits to the attending doctor and monitoring glucose readings.

Women and men who are over sixty years old and are at risk, because they have a hereditary predisposition, obesity, diagnosed atherosclerosis, hypertension, preventing diabetes is much easier than treating. However, when the first symptoms of diabetes appear and the blood sugar level from the finger is exceeded, it is necessary to visit a doctor. Moreover, this visit should not be postponed for a long time. Remember that the pathology detected at an early stage can be treated and for a long period does not cause any inconvenience, but only under one condition - the mandatory implementation of the recommendations of a physician.

Determination of blood sugar at home

Currently, almost all individuals with diabetes have the opportunity at home to monitor glucose indicators in order to timely detect an increase or decrease in blood sugar analysis from a finger. A glucometer (the norm of glucose level depends globally only on age and is within certain limits) is a medical device with which this procedure is carried out. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Read the instructions that came with the device.
2. The study is carried out on an empty stomach.
3. Wash hands and dry using a towel before handling.
4. Knead your finger to increase blood flow.
5. Treat with an alcohol cloth.
6. Puncture with the scarifier that comes with the middle, index or thumb.
7. Remove the first drop of blood with a dry cotton swab.
8. Apply a second drop to the test strip.
9. Put in the meter and read the result on the screen.

The rate of blood sugar on an empty stomach from a finger depends on certain conditions. To obtain a reliable result, it is necessary to fulfill a number of conditions that have been described above.

When measuring with a glucometer, you must always monitor the expiration dates and observe the storage conditions of the test strips. The meter tube must be completely closed during manipulation. These parameters affect the outcome and are able to distort the result. In addition, the following factors that increase sugar concentration should be considered:

• stress;
• taking sleeping pills, drugs and psychotropic medications;
• swelling and inflammation in the pancreas;
• overweight;
• malfunction of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands and thyroid gland, liver and kidneys;
• excessive consumption of sweets;
• reception of alcohol-containing drinks;
• intense physical activity. The regular implementation of simple exercises, on the contrary, contributes to the normalization of sugar.

The blood sugar level from a finger during the study after eating should not exceed the upper acceptable limit - 7.8 and be lower than 4.0 mmol / L.

Pregnant women

During this period, the female body is completely rebuilt, all forces are directed to bearing the crumbs and subsequent childbirth. Therefore, some conditions recognized as pathological in the absence of pregnancy, while waiting for the baby are not considered a deviation from the norm. These include shortness of breath, swelling, pain in the lower back, heartburn. Nevertheless, when they appear, it is necessary to inform the attending doctor.

Determining glucose concentration is a routine test that is prescribed to all pregnant women at eight to twelve and at thirty weeks. At risk are future mothers who have:

• in close relationship there are patients with diabetes mellitus or having other endocrine disorders;
• overweight;
• first pregnancy over the age of thirty;
• polyhydramnios;
• two or more miscarriages, stillborn in history;
• previously large children or with developmental defects were born;
• there are signs such as itching and dryness of the dermis, excessive and frequent urination, constant thirst, weight gain for no reason.

The norm of sugar in pregnant women on an empty stomach from a finger (mmol / l) is from 3.3 to 5.5. However, a slight increase in borders is also allowed - 3.8–5.8 in the second half of pregnancy. The reason for this phenomenon is that the pancreas can not cope with the load. Only a doctor can identify a pathology, therefore, one should not panic and draw premature conclusions after receiving the results of the study, i.e., before consulting a doctor.

Deviation from the norm

The first detected excess of blood sugar in pregnant women with a finger called "gestational diabetes." Often, it passes immediately after delivery. Due to the fact that this condition negatively affects the future baby, as it provokes weight gain and fetal hypoxia, women are observed at the endocrinologist before delivery. In some cases, real diabetes develops, as the level of amino acids in the blood decreases, and the number of ketone bodies increases. To reduce glucose, it is recommended:

1. Adjust the diet - include oats, rice, buckwheat, fish, cottage cheese, meat, vegetables, eggs, fruits. Exclude chocolate, sweet soda, instant food. Reduce portions and eat often.
2. Physical activity - the instructor in the clinic will recommend several special exercises.
3. The administration of insulin is indicated in cases of a repeated increase in glucose concentration.

The reasons for the distorted result of the study are:

• infectious diseases;
• violation of the rules of preparation for analysis;
• stressful condition.

A slight deviation from the norm of sugar during pregnancy from the finger to the lower side is recorded quite often. The reason - glucose is necessary for both the expectant mother and the baby. Common signs of this condition are fatigue, which passes after eating, weakness. For prevention, it is recommended to eat in small portions six times a day and drink up to two liters of water. However, an excessively low sugar index, i.e. less than 3.2 mmol / L, is an alarming sign. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, then the baby may have various pathologies, including mental retardation.

Monitoring the concentration of sugar in the blood during the expectation of the baby allows you to exclude the occurrence of complications in both the expectant mother and the crumbs, and also to detect diabetes in a timely manner. Therefore, you need to eat right and follow all the recommendations of your doctor. You need to focus on the following standards of sugar in pregnant women from the finger (mmol / l):

• after eating (after 2 hours) - not higher than 6.7;
• at bedtime - from 5.0 to 7.0;
• at night - at least 3.5.

The main way to protect yourself from pathologies caused by changes in the concentration of glucose in the blood is a healthy lifestyle, that is, giving up addictions, feasible physical activity, proper nutrition.

Blood test for sugar in children

A pediatric doctor recommends such an analysis with the following clinical picture:

• sudden weight loss;
• constant thirst;
• polyuria;
• large body weight at birth;
• dizziness and weakness after a short period of time after feeding.

The appearance of the above signs indicates a lack of insulin in the body, as well as an endocrine failure.

If the baby was born with a lot of weight, then he is shown a blood test for sugar. Carry out this procedure until he reaches one year. With weight normalization, a control study is done to exclude endocrine disorders, the result of which is an incorrect metabolism.

For the reliability of the results, it is recommended not to feed the child eight to ten hours before putting the biomaterial for sugar from the finger (the norms are given below). It is allowed to drink the baby with plain water. Of course, it is rather difficult for parents to explain to the baby why he should not eat before bedtime. Therefore, pediatricians offer to distract games or put to bed early to dull the feeling of hunger. In the morning you can give some water.

Older children should not brush their teeth on the day of analysis, as all toothpastes contain sweeteners.

If the baby is breastfed, the time between the last feeding and delivery of the biomaterial is reduced to three hours, i.e. this interval is enough for milk to digest and not affect the result of the analysis.

When taking medications, especially glucocorticoids, be sure to warn your doctor about this, as they lead to an increase in blood sugar. It distorts the result and the presence of infectious and colds. In addition, a jump in sugar is observed during physical or emotional stress, as well as stress. The day before the delivery of the biomaterial, one must try to reduce the child’s excessive activity by offering him more relaxed games, that is, to find a compromise. The task of parents is to calm the baby and make sure that he does not have a fear of visiting the clinic and laboratory of the laboratory assistant. After taking the biomaterial, you can give your child some goodies to cheer up and smooth out unpleasant sensations. The norm of sugar from the finger in children (mmol / l):

• up to twelve months is in the range from 2.8 to 4.4;
• up to five years of age - from 3.3 to 5.0;
• further from 3.3 to 5.5.

Exceeding the upper limit signals the onset of diabetes. The reasons are heredity, a violation of the production of hormonal substances by the thyroid gland, stress and overstrain (indicates problems with the nervous system). Additional tests are performed to confirm.

At a low rate, the gastrointestinal tract is checked, since the causes of hypoglycemia are associated with a small amount of gastric enzymes.