One of the main methods that can detect various deviations in the functioning of the human body is a blood test for the total amount of sugar. In particular, it allows you to diagnose a serious illness such as diabetes. And today we’ll talk about how to donate blood for sugar.
In what cases can this analysis be prescribed?
The doctor gives an appointment for such an analysis if there is a suspicion of developing diabetes, since it is for this disease that the increase in blood glucose levels is characteristic.
A study is prescribed if:
- there are complaints of constant thirst, accompanied by severe dry mouth;
- sudden weight loss occurs;
- urination increases;
- fatigue is observed.
An analysis is mandatory for overweight people, as well as hypertensive patients.
Analysis submission
If we talk specifically about how to donate blood for sugar, then there is nothing complicated. Whatever option of blood sampling was chosen (finger or vein), they donate blood only in the morning and on an empty stomach.
Preparing for the upcoming study
Before donating blood, you should not drink alcohol-containing drinks (this also applies to beer). Alcohol in the first few hours after ingestion can increase blood sugar. Later, the reverse process occurs. The liver, which is responsible for processing protein into glucose, has to cope with the effects of alcohol intoxication. That is why sugar levels are falling, and a morning blood test is likely to be erroneous.
Before donating blood, you should also not eat for at least eight hours. You can only drink plain water. How to donate blood for sugar and how to prepare for an analysis, you now know. It's time to get acquainted with data decryption.
Fasting sugar: normal
The morning glucose level should not exceed the limits of 3.50 ... 5.50 mmol / liter. Throughout the day, indicators may fluctuate, but generally remain in this range.
Raising the numbers to 5.50 ... 6.00 mmol / liter are interpreted as a pre-diabetic condition. In this situation, additional research will be required. If a clinical fasting blood test showed that the sugar concentration was higher than 6.00 mmol / l, then diabetes is almost confirmed.
Additional blood sugar tests
To clarify the diagnosis, the following tests can be prescribed:
- conducting a glucose tolerance test;
- glycemic hemoglobin test.
Glucose tolerance test
If fasting sugar (you already know the norm) was in the range of 5.70 ... 6.90 mmol / liter, then an additional study is prescribed.
Before the test, a person is prescribed a diet containing at least 125 g of carbohydrates. The study is also carried out on an empty stomach.
Testing itself is as follows:
- at the beginning, blood is taken from the finger;
- then you need to take an aqueous solution of glucose (75 g is dissolved in 200 ml of water);
- after this, blood sampling is performed every half hour.
Diabetes mellitus is confirmed if the morning analysis showed a sugar level of 7.00 mmol / liter or more, and after two hours after taking a glucose solution, the blood sugar concentration exceeded 11.00 mmol / liter.
If the first analysis showed that the sugar content is slightly less than 7.00 mmol / liter, and after two hours after taking the sweet solution, it falls within the range of 8.00 ... .11.00 mmol / liter, then this is diagnosed as a violation of tolerance to glucose. And we can talk about the latent form of diabetes.
Determination of glycemic hemoglobin level
This blood test helps to calculate the average daily blood glucose level for the last 1-3 months. Blood is taken from a human vein.
The norm is considered an indicator of up to 6%. The figures 6.0 ... 6.5% indicate an increased risk of developing diabetes. And with indicators over 6.5%, the diagnosis is confirmed, but diabetes is not always the cause of deviations.
Additional causes of high blood sugar
Sugar can be increased not only with diabetes. Hyperglycemia can indicate the presence of the following diseases:
- Pheochromocytoma, a serious disease of the endocrine system, when a high amount of norepinephrine and adrenaline enters the human blood. Additional symptoms include jumps in blood pressure, an inexplicable feeling of anxiety, a frequent pulse, and increased sweating.
- Pathological conditions of the endocrine system. Here we are talking about Cushing's syndrome and thyrotoxicosis.
- Hepatitis and cirrhosis are also accompanied by high blood sugar levels.
- Any form of pancreatitis and pancreatic tumors.
Another cause of hyperglycemia may be the use of certain medications, in particular, diuretics, oral contraceptives and anti-inflammatory steroid drugs.
Sometimes a blood sugar measurement shows it is too low. This condition is called hypoglycemia and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pallor of the skin;
- increased sweating;
- a strong feeling of hunger;
- unexplained anxiety;
- heartbeat acceleration;
- lethargy.
Everyone needs to control the amount of sugar in the blood, even if deviations are not observed in the general well-being. How to donate blood for sugar, what methods and generally accepted norms exist, you now know. Be healthy!