Glucose in the blood

One of the most important components of the human body is glucose. Glucose in the blood - the most important energy material, which is used in various processes that take place in the body. It is necessary for the vital activity and energy supply of the cell.

Glucose in the blood is formed as a result of the breakdown of carbohydrates obtained after eating food or from the glycogen in the body. The amount of glucose in the blood varies greatly during the day and depends on a number of factors, including physical exertion, carbohydrate content in food, stress, etc.

To obtain the most stable indications, the determination of sugar (glucose) in the blood is carried out on an empty stomach, that is, after 10 hours after eating. You can determine its level using special methods in the laboratory, or you can use an individual glucometer. When using biochemical analysis, glucose is determined in venous blood to get an objective picture.

Glucose in the blood. Norm.

For people under 60 years the indicator is between the levels of 3.3 to 5.5 mmol / l, and above 4.6 to 6.1 mmol / l. Excess of the norm is called hyperglycemia, and lowering is called hypoglycemia.

Hyperglycemia can occur for a number of reasons:

• In connection with the features of the diet;
• In diseases of diabetes mellitus;
• Because of increased activity of the cerebral cortex;
• With hyperthyroidism;
• Because of increased activity of the pituitary gland;
• Due to carbon monoxide poisoning ;
• Syphilis of the central nervous system;
• With adrenocorticism;
• With hyperpanduarism, etc.

Hypoglycemia (when the blood glucose level is lower than the norm) can arise because of:

• Diseases of the stomach and intestinal tract, accompanied by a violation of absorption of carbohydrates;
• Hormonal disorders (insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism);
• An overdose of insulin, as well as other antidiabetic drugs;
• Diseases of the central nervous system;
• Obesity, etc.

Hyperglycemia (glucose in the blood is increased) are divided into the following types:

1) Insular (that is, associated with insulin), arise from impaired pancreatic function, which leads to a decrease in insulin release and, as a result, increased blood glucose (eg, diabetes mellitus or pancreatitis in the acute phase).

2) Extra-insular (this means not related to insulin). May occur with increased blood sugar, due to excess amounts of carbohydrate in food, as well as in connection with the work of the brain and in other cases.

To identify the underlying disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, assign a sample with a glucose load. Usually this analysis is prescribed in the following cases:

• At clinical signs of a diabetes, when at carrying out of the analysis, the glucose in blood is at a normal level;
• With hereditary predisposition to diabetes mellitus, when there are no obvious signs;
• When sugar was detected in the urine, but there are no clinical signs of diabetes mellitus;
• When glucose in urine was determined against a background of liver disease, pregnancy, visual impairment (if the cause is not clear).

Before the test for 3 days should stop taking drugs that can in some way affect the result. For example, "Analgin", "Aspirin", ascorbic acid, estrogens, etc.

The first blood test is taken from a person on an empty stomach, then they give him a drink of glucose mixed with warm water and after an hour or two they make the second.

Tolerance to glucose increased when:

• Its low level on an empty stomach;
• Decrease in glucose level in comparison with the norm after the load;
• Pronounced hypoglycemic phase.

Tolerance to glucose is lowered when:

• Increase in its level on an empty stomach;
• High maximum of the curve;
• Slow decrease in the glucose level curve.

Determination of glucose should be carried out regularly in order to identify the available diseases in time.