Glucose (in blood) (Glucose). Indications for use, rules for preparing for the test, interpretation of glucose test results and normal indicators.

Thyrotoxicosis

Hepatitis

Diabetes

55497 06 August

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. We remind you that independent interpretation of the results is unacceptable; the information below is for reference only.
Glucose (in blood) (Glucose): indications for prescription, rules for preparing for the test, interpretation of results and normal indicators.

Indications for the purpose of the study

A blood glucose test is a routine biochemical test that is used to diagnose and control diabetes mellitus (types I and II, gestational diabetes (pregnant diabetes)) and other diseases associated with impaired carbohydrate metabolism.
Diabetes is a disease that belongs to the group of metabolic disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, which is based on a lack or low biological activity of the hormone insulin, which leads to an increase in blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Chronically elevated blood glucose levels can lead to serious health consequences.

Glucose levels are primarily affected by the hormone insulin, which is synthesized in the pancreas. In addition to insulin, the following are involved in maintaining carbohydrate balance: glucagon, a hormone also synthesized by the pancreas and acting as an insulin antagonist, hormones of the pituitary gland (somatotropin, thyrotropin), thyroid gland (T3 and T4) and adrenal glands (adrenaline and cortisol).

A doctor may order a blood glucose test if a patient has symptoms of hyper- or hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) include:

• frequent urination;
• thirsty;
• blurred vision;
• fatigue;
• slow healing of wounds.

Symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) include:

• anxiety;
• cardiopalmus;
• sweating;
• shiver;
• hunger;
• confusion.

A blood glucose test is necessary if you have risk factors for diabetes:

• excess body weight;
• sedentary lifestyle (hypodynamia);
• presence of diabetes mellitus in close relatives;
• high blood pressure;
• cardiac ischemia;
• chronic liver diseases;
• pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes
is a special form of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy and is associated with hormonal changes. Therefore, women who have been diagnosed with this pathology should monitor their blood glucose levels throughout pregnancy.

Differences between hyperglycemia after meals and on an empty stomach

Hyperglycemia is a pathological condition of the body in which the glucose level systematically exceeds the norm. If sugar levels do not return to normal within the allotted three-hour interval, it is necessary to be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or prediabetes. The development of diabetes is considered the main cause of hyperglycemia. Other factors that influence abnormal sugar levels before and after meals include:

• chronic pancreatitis;
• hidden oncological diseases;
• increased synthesis of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism);
• incorrect hormonal therapy;
• chronic alcoholism;
• hypertension and atherosclerosis;
• deficiency of macro- and microelements and vitamins in the body;
• systematic physical overload;
• abuse of monosaccharides and disaccharides (simple carbohydrates);
• constant psycho-emotional stress (distress).

In the absence of disease, the minimum values ​​are 3.9 mmol/l, from 2 to 4 am

The main reason for a stable increase in blood sugar and the development of diabetes is obesity. The main symptoms that may indicate hyperglycemia are:

• physical weakness, decreased ability to work and tone, quickly onset fatigue;
• dysania (sleep disorder), nervousness;
• polydipsia (permanent feeling of thirst);
• pollakiuria (frequent urge to urinate);
• systematic headaches, unstable blood pressure (blood pressure);
• polyphagia (increased appetite);
• hyperhidrosis (increased sweating).

Due to the weak functioning of the immune system, acute respiratory viral infections and colds become more frequent.

What may affect the results

Eating food, alcohol, certain medications, fatigue, or stress can affect your blood glucose levels.
Medicines that may cause increased blood glucose levels.

• Corticosteroid hormones (another name is glucocorticoids). They are intended to treat diseases caused by inflammation: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, allergies. Systemic (tablet form, intravenous or intramuscular) steroids include hydrocortisone and prednisolone. However, topical steroids in creams and ointments or inhaled steroids (used to treat asthma) do not significantly affect glucose levels.
• Medications for anxiety, attention deficit disorder, depression and other mental health problems.
• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
• Some medications to normalize high blood pressure.
• Statins, used to lower cholesterol levels.
• Adrenaline (can be used for severe allergic reactions).
• High doses of non-inhaled asthma medications (given intravenously for severe attacks).
• Isotretinoin (used to treat acne and other dermatological conditions).
• Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant (prescribed after organ transplantation).
• Some antiviral medications prescribed to patients with HIV and hepatitis C.
• Pseudoephedrine (a decongestant found in some cold and flu medications).
• Cough syrups (many contain sugar).
• Niacin (vitamin B3).

In addition to medications for the treatment of diabetes, the following medications and dietary supplements can reduce glucose levels:

• Aspirin.
• Aloe.
• Magnesium salicylate.
• Quinine.

To get the most reliable result, it is recommended to refrain from taking these medications until the test is taken, having agreed upon the timing of drug withdrawal with your doctor.
Female sex hormones also affect glucose levels, so a few days before your period, your glucose levels may be higher than on other days.

You can take a blood glucose test at the nearest INVITRO medical office.
A list of offices where biomaterial is accepted for laboratory research is presented in the “Addresses” section. Interpretation of study results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. The doctor makes an accurate diagnosis using both the results of this examination and the necessary information from other sources: medical history, results of other examinations, etc.

Sugar on an empty stomach

To determine glycemic values, capillary (from a finger) or venous blood is taken. In the second case, the figures may be slightly higher (within 12%). This is not a pathology. Before the study you must:

• Avoid drinking alcohol (three days before).
• Avoid food and oral hygiene in the morning (on the day of the test).

Important! If you prepare incorrectly on the eve of the analysis (sweets or alcohol for dinner, physical activity, nervous stress), the data may be distorted.

The results are assessed by comparing the obtained figures with standard values. Depending on the age category, the following fasting glucose levels are classified (in mmol/l):

For newborns and infants up to 3–4 weeks, the normative limits are 2.7 – 4.4 mmol/l. There are no differences in the laboratory examination results based on gender. With the exception of periods of changes in hormonal status in women (menopause, pregnancy). A prediabetic state is indicated by glycemic values ​​on an empty stomach from 5.7 to 6.7 mmol/l.

In diabetics, glucose norms on an empty stomach are somewhat different, and determine the stage of the disease. Regulatory criteria for diabetic patients can be revised on an individual basis depending on the nature of the disease. You should not self-diagnose. To make a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to undergo an extensive examination. A single discrepancy in sugar values ​​does not 100% indicate the presence of pathology.

Blood glucose test

Glucose is an organic compound that is the main source of energy for the body's cells and the only one for the brain and nervous system. For the normal functioning of all organs and systems of the body, a relatively constant level of glucose must be maintained. During digestion, carbohydrate sources are broken down into glucose and other nutrients; they are absorbed by the small intestine and distributed throughout the body. The use of glucose for energy depends on insulin, which facilitates the transport of glucose into the body's cells and stimulates the liver to store excess energy as glycogen for storage.

Typically, blood glucose levels rise slightly after eating, and the pancreas responds by releasing insulin into the blood in an amount appropriate to the size and content of the meal. As glucose enters cells and is metabolized, blood levels drop and the pancreas responds by slowing and then stopping the release of insulin.

Decoding the result

Increased glucose levels (hyperglycemia)

Observed in the following diseases and conditions:

1. Diabetes.
2. Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
3. Physiological hyperglycemia, causes: moderate physical activity, strong emotions, stress, smoking, adrenaline release after injection.
4. Active infectious process.
5. Trauma, recent surgery.
6. Endocrine system diseases:

a) pheochromocytoma - a tumor of the adrenal glands that produces adrenaline and is characterized primarily by a persistent increase in blood pressure; b) thyrotoxicosis – a pathological condition in which the thyroid gland begins to produce too many hormones (thyroxine and/or triiodothyronine); c) acromegaly is a disease associated with a violation of the synthetic activity of the pituitary gland (a gland located in the brain). It is characterized by excess production of growth hormone, leading to changes in facial features, enlargement of the hands and feet. d) gigantism - a pathology, also associated with the pituitary gland, is hereditary in nature, the first manifestations occur in early adolescence; e) Itsenko-Cushing syndrome is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of cortisol. Characterized by a violation of carbohydrate metabolism; f) somatostatinoma - a tumor of hormonally active cells of the pancreas or cells located in the wall of the duodenum, secreting somatostatin; g) polycystic ovary syndrome - a symptom complex accompanied by the formation of cysts in the ovaries, menstrual irregularities, excess body weight, and infertility.

1. Diseases of the pancreas (acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatitis with mumps, cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis, pancreatic neoplasms).
2. Chronic liver and kidney diseases.
3. Cerebral hemorrhage, myocardial infarction.
4. Taking thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, caffeine, oral contraceptives, glucocorticoids (a full list is presented in the section “What may affect the results”).

Low glucose levels (hypoglycemia)

1. Patients with diabetes may experience low glucose levels in the following situations:

a) insulin overdose; b) overdose of drugs that lower blood glucose levels; c) increased physical activity; d) skipping meals; d) drinking alcohol.

1. Severe liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatitis, carcinoma, hemochromatosis).
2. Tumor diseases: pancreatic cancer, adrenal cancer, stomach cancer, fibrosarcoma.
3. Reactive hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood glucose levels decrease 1-3 hours after eating.
4. Dietary disorders (prolonged fasting, malabsorption syndrome - impaired absorption of nutrients due to intestinal diseases).
5. Taking large doses of alcohol.
6. Intense physical activity.
7. Feverish conditions.
8. Taking a number of medications:

a) beta blockers (atenolol, propranolol, etc.) – used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, hypertension; b) flecainide and quinidine (drugs for arrhythmia); c) indomethacin (painkiller); d) insulin and other hypoglycemic drugs; e) some antibiotics, antifungal drugs; e) aspirin; g) a number of antiepileptic, anti-anxiety drugs (pregabalin); h) monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of tumor or autoimmune diseases.