Learning to read the results of tests: how in the blood test is designated sugar

The normal functioning of the body largely depends on the stability of the sugar level in our blood. When you use carbohydrates, sweets, there are processes that convert them into glucose. It is used by our body as energy. Glucose includes a variety of functions, including the processes that occur in the body at the cellular level. Knowing how the blood test denotes sugar, you can control its level and in time to recognize the problems that arise with an increase or decrease in this indicator.

The level of glucose

First of all, it should be noted that from the medical point of view it is correct to say "glucose level". Sugar consists of a whole group of substances, in the blood it is determined by glucose. But the very term "blood sugar" so confidently entered the speech, which is used in this form, not only in conversations, but also in medical literature. Sugar is indicated in the blood test by the Latin letters GLU, from the word "glucose".

First of all, this indicator informs us about the state of carbohydrate metabolism in the body. There is glucose with complex carbohydrates, which are digested in the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream. Hence the conclusion - with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, absorption of glucose may be impaired. Entered into the blood glucose is only partially used by the body, most in the form of glycogen is deposited in the liver. Further, in emergency cases (emotional, physical exertion) there is a splitting of glycogen, and glucose is released into the blood.

Conclusion - the liver is a keeper of glucose, so when it's sick, blood sugar can also change. For the output from the liver, synthesis, glucose uptake corresponds to the neuroendocrine system, the adrenal glands, the pancreas. Therefore, the pathology of any of these organs becomes the cause of a failure in the indicators of blood sugar.

Regulation in the body

It is very important that the sugar level is always in the body. Finding out how the blood test denotes sugar, you can now control this figure. If it is lower or higher, the following consequences may occur:

• Dizziness, possible loss of consciousness, as a consequence - a coma.
• When the sugar is increased, fatigue is observed. It's getting dark, the picture blurs before my eyes.

How to regulate blood sugar in the body, consider the principles of the mechanism:

• With an increase in the level of sugar, the pancreas detects a signal for producing insulin. The liver begins to process the excess glucose into the glucagon element. At the same time, the sugar level falls.
• With low sugar, the pancreas receives a signal to stop the production of insulin, while glucose from glucagon begins to be synthesized. The liver temporarily stops the processing of glucose into glucagon. The body is growing blood sugar.
• With normal sugar, when you eat, the pancreas produces insulin, which helps glucose enter the cell and provide it with energy. The liver is at rest at this time.

How is sugar indicated in the blood test?

Most of the blood counts are read thanks to analyzes performed on hematological analyzers. They allow you to immediately read 24 parameters, including the "blood sugar", which is designated here GLU. Indicators are determined only when conducting a biochemical blood test or a special medication to determine the level of glucose.

Many are trying to find out how sugar is labeled in a general blood test. So, know that a common blood test deciphers only certain parameters, such as hemoglobin, red blood cells, the number of blood cells and some others. The level of blood sugar from the general analysis you will not know. The general analysis is carried out in order to determine the overall state of the organism. The only thing that can be said is that such an indicator as RBC or hematocrit may indicate the presence of diabetes, it indicates a correlation in blood plasma and red blood cells. For more accurate diagnosis, for additional examinations the doctor will prescribe a biochemical expanded blood test. When asked how in the biochemical analysis of blood sugar is denoted, we give the answer - in Latin letters GLU.

Measuring glucose at home

Modern medical equipment allows you to determine the level of sugar yourself. In any pharmacy for this purpose you can purchase a glucometer. For this, it is not necessary to understand how the level of sugar in the blood test is indicated. The standard set of any device includes a starter pack of special test strips and sterile lancets. The treated surface of the skin on the finger should be punctured with a lancet, then transfer a drop of blood to the test strip. Inserting it into the device itself, you can find out the result, which in figures will be displayed on the screen.

Some types of glucometers are able to read information from capillary blood from any place on the body, whether it is the forearm, shoulder, or thigh. However, know that the tip of the finger has the highest blood circulation, so from here you can get the best results at home. This is very important, because the sugar indices can change rapidly under various emotional, physical loads, and also after eating.

Norm

Now, knowing how the sugar is indicated in the blood test, look at the result of the analysis and make sure that your indicators are normal. What should they be like? An empty stomach in the morning from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / l. Figures from 5.6 to 6.6 indicate a violation of tolerance to blood sugar, a condition that can be called a borderline between pathology and the norm.

The indicator of 6.7 mmol / l gives reason to suspect the presence of diabetes in the patient. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor should prescribe a glucose tolerance test-an analysis after two hours after the sugar load. With this test, the norm should rise to 7.7 mmol / l, the disturbed tolerance will be revealed at 7.8 - 11.1 mmol / l. Confirmation of diabetes mellitus is an indicator of 11.2 mmol / l.

Signs of increased sugar

Having explained what letters mark sugar in the blood test, we will acquaint you with the symptoms of an elevated glucose level:

• Feeling of thirst. Perhaps this indicates that the level of glucose is elevated. And this can serve as a sign of diabetes. When the body has lost the ability to keep normal sugar levels, the kidneys work more actively, they take extra moisture from the body. There are frequent desires, dehydration. There is a signal to replenish water supplies.
• Fatigue. If sugar is not converted into energy, it simply settles in the blood, fatigue sets in, sometimes it even wants to lie down and take a nap.
• Dizziness. Frequent dizziness - a signal to consult a doctor. Perhaps a rise in blood sugar.
• The feet, hands are swelling. Pressure and diabetes lead to problems with the kidneys, then - the wrong filtration of the fluid, as a consequence - swelling.
• Tingling, numbness. When you change the temperature, you feel a tingling sensation in your limbs.
• Loss of vision. Sensitive nerve endings in the eyes are damaged by high sugar and pressure. There is a worsening of the functions of the vessels of the eyes, diabetic retinopathy occurs.

Methods of reducing blood sugar

If you know the interpretation of the notation in the blood test, then you can easily determine if you have elevated blood glucose levels. What ways exist to lower the sugar level, keep it under control?

• Maintain optimal weight.
• Adhere to a diet that includes various vegetables, fiber, fruits, few calories. Completely eliminate alcohol.
• Spend more time relaxing. Get enough sleep. Fall asleep and get up at the same time.
• Do not drink coffee for the night.
• At least half an hour a day, exercise.

Is it possible to recover from diabetes?

It is impossible to completely cure diabetes. Modern science has not yet invented such methods. Controlling the level of glucose, knowing how the blood test denotes sugar, it is quite possible to facilitate the course of the disease.

With type 1 diabetes, the cells responsible for producing insulin are completely destroyed. Patients constantly need to introduce insulin into the body. In the second type, insulin resistance occurs. This is when the body does not know how to use insulin.

With infrequent jumps of blood sugar the right diet, exercise allow you to control glucose and live a normal life.

Low level of the indicator

In what cases can a decrease in blood glucose level be observed? In the following:

• Malabsorption syndrome, when the absorption of glucose into the blood is difficult.
• Severe toxic liver damage, fulminant necrosis. When there can not be a release of glucagon.
• Endocrine pathologies: with a decrease in the synthesis of contrusular hormones; With Addison's disease (the adrenal cortex does not produce enough hormones); With insulinoma - increased synthesis of insulin.

The risk of low glucose levels

What are the signs of low sugar and how dangerous is the decrease in the blood glucose level?

• With a lack of glucose cells feel energy hunger. The brain is most sensitive to this. The main signs of energy starvation are CNS lesions.
• Signs in the early stages: trembling, hunger, nausea, sweating, palpitations, flaking of the skin around the lips, anxious condition.
• Late symptoms include: violation of attention, confusion, difficulties in communication, drowsiness, headaches, visual impairment, inadequate perception of what is happening, disorientation.
• At early signs the patient should help itself, in time to address to the doctor, to find out the reason. At later stages, close people should be connected, as it is difficult for a patient to cope with the situation on his own. In the absence of treatment, irreversible processes may occur, including hypoglycemic coma, irreversible brain damage.

The consequences of low blood sugar can be very deplorable. Inadequate behavior of the patient can lead to various incidents - domestic or road transport. In this case, you just need to seek medical help.