Blood sugar levels can be measured through fasting or random tests, with normal levels between 70-100 mg/dL and 70-140 mg/dL respectively. High levels may indicate diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or pancreatitis, while low levels may be caused by not eating enough, hypothyroidism, or liver disease. Treatment may include dietary changes, medication, or insulin.
Blood sugar is the amount of glucose present in the blood. It supplies the body with energy, but too little or too much can cause health problems. Blood sugar can be measured in several ways. A fasting glucose test is performed after eight hours of inactivity. A random blood glucose test can be done at any time to check your sugar levels.
Both tests can be done to help diagnose a medical condition. For example, most pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes. Random blood sugar checks are also done by people who need to keep an eye on their sugar level.
Normal results for a fasting blood glucose test are 70 to 100 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). In a test performed without fasting, normal blood sugar levels are between 70 and 140 mg/dl. If the levels are below 70 mg/dl, the condition may be referred to as hypoglycemia, which means hypoglycemia. When levels are above 140 with a nonfasting test, the condition may be called hyperglycemia.
Blood sugar can be tested from a small amount of blood drawn. Although testing can be done in a hospital or laboratory, there are small devices available for home blood glucose monitoring. A small amount of blood is drawn, usually from a fingertip, and placed into a meter that calculates glucose levels and provides a digital reading in seconds.
Some medical conditions cause high blood sugar or blood glucose levels, the most common of which is diabetes. Normally the body produces insulin to convert food into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is not produced adequately. Other medical conditions that can cause high glucose levels include hyperthyroidism and pancreatitis.
A common cause of hypoglycemia is not eating enough. Individuals with eating disorders, such as anorexia, may have low blood sugar. Additional
Medical problems that can cause blood sugar levels to drop include hypothyroidism and liver disease.
A number of different symptoms can occur with abnormal blood sugar levels, including confusion, tremors, and a fast heartbeat. Depending on the cause of the abnormal blood sugar, treatment may be required. Some people with diabetes and high blood sugar may need to make changes to their diet or add certain medications to control levels. If the diet doesn’t maintain normal blood sugar levels, insulin may be needed.
You may also need to treat low blood sugar or make dietary changes. Eating several small, healthy meals throughout the day can help keep your blood sugar steady. Since alcohol may lower sugar levels, limiting the number of alcoholic drinks may also help.
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