One of the most important components of the human body is glucose. Glucose in the blood is the most important energy material that is used in various processes taking place in the body. It is necessary for the life and energy supply of the cell.
Glucose in the blood is formed as a result of the breakdown of carbohydrates obtained after eating food or from glycogen in the body. The amount of glucose in the blood varies greatly during the day and depends on a number of factors, including physical activity, carbohydrate content in food, stress, etc.
To obtain the most stable readings, the determination of sugar (glucose) in the blood is carried out on an empty stomach, that is, 10 hours after eating. You can determine its level using special methods in the laboratory, or you can using an individual glucometer. When using biochemical analysis, glucose is determined in venous blood to get an objective picture.
Glucose in the blood. Norm.
For persons under 60, the indicator is between marks from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / L, and older from 4.6 to 6.1 mmol / L. Exceeding the norm is called hyperglycemia, and lowering is called hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia can occur for a number of reasons:
- in connection with the features of the diet;
- with diseases of diabetes;
- due to increased activity of the cerebral cortex;
- with hyperthyroidism;
- due to increased activity of the pituitary gland;
- due to carbon monoxide poisoning ;
- with syphilis of the central nervous system;
- with adrenocorticism;
- with hyperpintuarism, etc.
Hypoglycemia (when blood glucose is lowered compared to normal) may occur due to:
- diseases of the stomach and intestines, accompanied by impaired absorption of carbohydrates;
- hormonal disorders (adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism);
- an overdose of insulin, as well as other antidiabetic drugs;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- obesity etc.
Hyperglycemia (increased glucose in the blood) is divided into types:
1) Insular (i.e., related to insulin), arise due to a violation of the pancreas, which leads to a decrease in insulin secretion and, as a result, an increase in blood glucose (for example, with diabetes mellitus or pancreatitis in the acute phase).
2) Extrainsular (this means not related to insulin). They can occur with an increase in blood sugar, due to the excess amount of carbohydrates in food, as well as in connection with the work of the brain in other cases.
To identify hidden disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, a test with a glucose load is prescribed. Usually this analysis is prescribed in the following cases:
- with clinical signs of diabetes mellitus, when during the analysis, glucose in the blood is at a normal level;
- with a hereditary predisposition to diabetes, when there are no obvious signs;
- when urine has detected sugar, but there are no clinical signs of diabetes;
- when glucose in the urine was determined against a background of liver diseases, pregnancy, visual impairment (if the cause is not clear).
Before the test for 3 days, you must stop taking drugs that can in any way affect the result. For example, "Analgin", "Aspirin", ascorbic acid, estrogens, etc.
The first blood test is taken from a person on an empty stomach, then they give him to drink glucose mixed with warm water and after an hour or two do the second.
Glucose tolerance is increased with:
- its low level on an empty stomach;
- lowering glucose levels compared to normal after exercise;
- severe hypoglycemic phase.
Glucose tolerance is reduced with:
- an increase in her fasting level;
- high curve maximum;
- slowed down glucose curve.
Determination of glucose should be carried out regularly in order to timely identify existing diseases.