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Different Types Of Blood Sugar Levels You Should Know!
Diabetes, also known as Diabetes mellitus, in medical parlance, falls under a group of metabolic diseases, where a patient has high blood sugar (glucose). This is a serious global disease that has gripped people of various age groups across multiple nationalities.
Diabetes typically occurs due to:
- Inadequate insulin production in the body or
- When body cells don’t respond correctly to the insulin or
- Both the above
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has identified the below set of people to be susceptible to diabetes:
- People with a body mass index higher than 25 and 23 in the case of Asian-Americans. This is regardless of age. But the chances of getting diagnosed with diabetes increases manifold if the following conditions also prevail:
- Erratic cholesterol levels
- High Blood pressure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- History of diabetes among close family members
- The Association also recommends diabetes testing to be done on a regular basis for people above the age group of 45 years and if the results are within the prescribed limits then tests should be repeated every three years.
- Any woman who has had gestational diabetes should get herself checked every three years.
Some common symptoms that diabetic patients experience include:
- Frequent urination (Polyuria)
- Increased thirst (Polydipsia)
- Increased hunger (Polyphagia)
- Increased fatigue
- Slower healing process where cuts and bruises take longer than usual to heal
- Itchy skin, in some cases
- Numbness and tingling feeling in hands and feet
Diagnosis Of Diabetes
More often than not, the diagnosis of diabetes includes carrying out a urine test. This test reveals whether there is excess glucose present in the body. This is typically followed up with a blood test to calculate the blood sugar levels. Since a patient cannot feel whether the blood sugar is high or low, this testing needs to be conducted at regular intervals, sometimes even several times in the day, to keep a check on the sugar levels.
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Knowing FPG, PPG & HB A1C Numbers
FPG –
FPG stands for ”Fasting Plasma Glucose”. This is the blood sugar level when you have been fasting for at least 8 hours. This is usually checked a couple of hours after one wakes up in the morning and primarily helps in the diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes. While you are not permitted to consume anything for 8 to 10 hours before taking the test, you can consume water at regular intervals.
The FPG results typically fall under the below readings:
- Normal reading – less than100 mg/dl
- Prediabetes/Impaired Fasting Glucose reading – 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl
- Diabetes reading – above 126 mg/dl
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PPG –
PPG stands for ”Postprandial Plasma Glucose”. This is the after-meals blood sugar level that is usually checked one to two hours post eating. This testing is generally done to check the spike in the blood sugar level post eating and is usually done to check how tolerant the body is to glucose.
The PPG results typically fall under the below readings:
- Normal reading – less than 140 mg/dl
- Impaired Glucose Tolerance reading – between 140 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl
- Diabetes reading – Equal or above 200 mg/dl
Book Your PPG Test Here.
Another important number that the ADA prescribes is the A1C number, which is also popularly known as Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Hemoglobin A1C, and HbA1c.
A1C –
This is a very important number that basically describes how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past 2 to 3 months. It also tells your diabetes control team how effectively your overall diabetes control plan is working. In a nutshell, your A1C Control = FPG Control + PPG Control.
Book Your HB A1C Test Here.
Why Is It Important To Know FPG, PPG & HBA1C numbers?
The A1C test measures what percentage of your haemoglobin is coated with sugar (glycated). Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The higher the A1C level, the poorer is your blood sugar control and the higher is the risk of developing diabetes-related complications. The A1C test plays a vital role in predicting prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
Also Read: Turbinado Sugar: Understanding Its Health Impact and Uses
Why Is It So Important To Control These numbers?
Good control over the A1C helps to safeguard the body from numerous diabetes-related risks such as:
These are microvascular complications that primarily cause damage to small blood vessels.
Along with these, there are some macrovascular problems too that damage the large blood vessels. These include:
- Heart attack
- Strokes
- Peripheral arterial disease
Type 1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes typically occurs during childhood or during the adolescence stages. This diabetes type requires regular insulin treatment, generally for life, to keep the blood sugar levels in control.
Type 2 Diabetes
This is the most common and prevalent kind of diabetes. It usually develops in adulthood and is mostly observed in people who are largely inactive or overweight. Read more about the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Difference Between Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
| Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes |
| In this type of diabetes, your body attacks the cells in your pancreas which means it cannot make any insulin. | In type 2 diabetes, your body is unable to make enough insulin or the insulin you do make doesn’t work properly. |
| The symptoms of type 1 appear more quickly. | Type 2 symptoms can be easier to miss because they appear more slowly. |
| Type 1 is managed by taking insulin to control your blood sugar. | You can manage type 2 diabetes in more ways than type 1. These include medication, exercise and diet. People with type 2 can also be prescribed insulin. |
| Currently, there is no cure for type 1 but research continues. | Type 2 cannot be cured but there is evidence to say in many cases it can be prevented. |
Diabetes Treatment
Administration of oral drugs is given when lifestyle modifications have been unsuccessful in bringing down the blood sugar levels. These oral doses work well to treat Type 2 diabetes, but Type 1 patients have to resort to insulin injections or insulin pumps.
Read More About: Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Why Should You Consider Diabetes Diagnostic Tests?
Dr Amrish Mehta, an M.B.B.S. with a Diploma in Pathology and Bacteriology as well as an M.D. in Pathology and Microbiology, shares his insights on diabetes, diagnosis of the diseases and stresses on the importance of diabetes diagnostic tests. Here is what we learned from our discussion about one of the most prevalent diseases in India today:The Effects of Wrong Treatment: Ignoring Diabetes Diagnostic Tests
A lot of diabetic patients take the same doses of medication despite having inconsistent sugar levels. This can be very unsafe as it may lead to undertreatment or overtreatment of diabetes. When undertreated, it can result in serious health complications arising from uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Similarly, if you are overtreated, the drop in your blood sugar levels may cause hypoglycemia which is an emergency condition that leads to unconsciousness.Dr Amrish Mehta warns that in the long run, wrong treatment can cause microvascular or macrovascular complications. Microvascular complications arise from the damage of small blood vessels in various parts of the body, resulting in blindness, kidney damage or even peripheral neuritis. With macrovascular damage surrounding the arteries, cardiac episodes are a dangerous possibility. If the blood supply to the brain is affected, then you may develop cerebrovascular accidents or peripheral vascular diseases.Test Your Blood Sugar Levels
There are three tests that you should get to monitor the rise in blood sugar levels in your body. These are serum creatinine, urine routine and urine microalbumin. Of the three, urine microalbumin is the most critical test. This is because, while elevated Serum Creatinine levels may indicate irreversible kidney damage, urine microalbumin helps detect kidney damage which can be reversed with immediate care.A Routine Diabetes Check
The permissible blood sugar level is 65 – 110 mg/dL. It is always good to get your diabetes checked once in six months with these three tests:- Fasting Blood Sugar – On an empty stomach.
- Post Lunch Blood Sugar – Two hours after eating a regular meal.
- HbA1C – No food restrictions. (This is a diabetes mellitus test)
In cases where a fasting blood sugar test cannot be taken on an empty stomach, the HbA1C test is sufficient to check the presence of diabetes in your body.A test called ‘Random Blood Sugar’ is now being used as a replacement for fasting and post-lunch blood sugar tests. However, because sugar levels fluctuate depending upon the quality and the quantity of food, the random blood sugar test cannot be a standard parameter whereas the fasting blood sugar test is.Read More: Understanding Blood Sugar LevelsMeasures to Prevent Diabetes
Two decades ago, diabetes was a cause for concern in people over the age of 40. However, nowadays, diabetes is prevalent in youngsters too. This is because children of this generation are exposed to inactive lifestyles and unhealthy meal options.If you would like to prevent diabetes from affecting your life, there are a few changes you need to start implementing on a regular basis. These are:- Increase the daily intake of green leafy vegetables and proteins.
- Decrease sugar intake – such as tea/coffee, ice creams and sweets.
- Replace snacks with soups and salads.
- Walk for at least half an hour a day to boost basal metabolic rate and burn calories.
- Cut down on vehicle usage and opt for walking.
- Use the staircase instead of the elevator.
It is important to note that if you have a family history of diabetes, then there is a higher probability that you may get it too. However, by following the steps above to monitor your diet, watching your weight and exercising regularly, you can entirely avoid or at least delay the onset of diabetes by a minimum of five to ten years.Also Read: What Causes Low Creatinine: Medical Experts Weigh InConclusionUltimately, small changes can create a significant impact in the long run. While there is no particular age to start monitoring your lifestyle, starting early is always beneficial. All you need to do is get rid of the sedentary lifestyle and change your wrong dieting habits. Add to this the regular blood sugar checks, and you can effectively keep diabetes away.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.How Often Should You Check Blood Sugar And HbA1C Levels?
We often forget that we are an indispensable aspect of treating our diabetes. Self-testing your blood sugar and HBA1C is extremely important in managing your diabetes and preventing long-term complications. A portable electronic device called the glucose meter is used to measure blood glucose levels. Testing should be done as advised by your doctor, but one should generally test twice a month at least. The frequency of testing your blood sugars also depends on the type of diabetes.
Blood sugar and HbA1C for Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the beta cells of the pancreas, cells that are responsible for the production of insulin. According to the 2005 NICE guidelines, it is recommended that people who have type 1 diabetes must check their insulin level every 4 hours, at the least. Besides, if they are undergoing heavy exercises or any activity that can fluctuate their blood pressure, they must check blood sugar levels more frequently. For example, in the following cases:- When traveling or driving for long distances check sugar levels every 2 hours.
- Check before and after performing the exercise.
- If you are suffering from chronic diseases, it is highly recommended to have routine tests every two months.
- Undergo schedule tests as advised by your doctor when pregnant.
- Test before breastfeeding.
- Test before and after taking part in high-risk physical activities.
- Test if you are not able to achieve the target HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%).
- Test if you are experiencing regular hypoglycemia episodes, he/she must regularly test for their blood sugar level.
Also Read: What Level of Blood Sugar is Dangerous? A Complete, Research-Based GuideBlood sugar and HbA1C for Type 2 Diabetes
The same should be followed by people who have type 2 diabetes. However, if you are on medication that can cause hypoglycemia, you must test your glucose level whenever you experience any symptoms. Further, you should test, before and after meals, especially if you have type 2 diabetes.Apart from this, you can also opt for structured testing. In this, you need to check your blood glucose level at specified times. This will not only help you monitor your blood glucose level but also help you recognize patterns of how your glucose level fluctuates during day-to-day activities. This is extremely helpful in maintaining a record and solving problems related to daily activities.Combining structured testing and routine blood testing can give you a better view of how your self-care program is working so that you can tailor your plans to achieve your goals.Read More: Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 DiabetesDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
