Blood Sugar Values

by Abbas Jahangir · June 15, 2024

Blood sugar is also known as glucose. Glucose is the most basic form that cells that make up muscles and other tissues use for energy. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of glucose. Carbohydrates are mostly found in bread, potatoes, rice, fruits and vegetables. In addition, all types of chocolate, candies and cookies contain high amounts of carbohydrates. The system in which the effect of carbohydrates on the blood glucose level is measured is called the glycemic index. If you eat too much carbohydrate, the amount of sugar absorbed from the intestines will be too high and blood sugar will rise accordingly. Blood sugar tests are tests that measure the level of glucose in your blood. The amount of glucose in our blood gives information about the health of our body. Measuring blood sugar levels is one of the most important measurements to be made during health checks.

What is Fasting Blood Sugar?

It is a test performed with blood taken from a vein after the person has fasted for 8 to 12 hours. This test gives information about whether people have hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. However, a fasting blood sugar test alone is not a sufficient evaluation.

What Should the Fasting Blood Sugar Value Be?

Fasting blood sugar level is considered as a lower limit of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and an upper limit of 126 milligrams (mg/dL). It is known that fasting blood sugar level is normal (healthy) if it is between 70-100 mg/dL. Fasting blood sugar value in pregnant women should be below 95 mg/dL. If the values are outside the normal after taking a fasting blood sugar test, it indicates that you may have hypoglycemia, prediabetes (hidden sugar) and diabetes.

A fasting blood sugar level of 50-70 mg/dL indicates that you may have hypoglycemia.

A fasting blood sugar level of 100-125 mg/dL indicates that you have prediabetes (hidden sugar).

A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates that you have diabetes.

Your 2 fasting blood sugar test results should be evaluated by your doctor.

How to Measure Fasting Blood Sugar Value?

Fasting blood sugar measurement is made with a blood sample taken from the patient after 8 to 12 hours of fasting. Before this period, people should avoid situations that will cause stress. At the same time, products such as alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine will have a negative impact on the measurement results. For this reason, one should avoid consuming these products.

How Many Hours Should One Stay Fast for Fasting Blood Sugar Value?

In order for fasting blood sugar measurement to give the most accurate results, it is necessary to fast for 8 to 12 hours. Night fasting, which is most suitable for these time intervals, may be preferred. If this is preferred, fasting blood sugar should be measured immediately in the morning.

After How Many Hours Is Fasting Blood Sugar Value Measured?

Fasting blood sugar value is measured after the person has been fasting for 8 to 12 hours. Measurement can be made if the person gives a blood sample for fasting blood sugar after fasting for 8 to 12 hours.

Why Does Fasting Blood Sugar Value Increase?

The insulin hormone produced in the pancreas passes the glucose taken from food to the cells in the tissues. If the amount of insulin is low, glucose cannot enter the cells and the sugar level in the blood rises. After a person’s measurement after 8 to 12 hours of fasting, a value of 126 mg/dL and above, which is the upper limit, indicates that fasting blood sugar is high.

High fasting blood sugar is common. However, some people are more at risk. People with a family history of diabetes and those aged 45-50 are considered more at risk.

If you want to drink a lot of water, if you urinate frequently at night, if you have no appetite or want to eat too much, if you feel tired and weak in a short time, if your mouth is dry, it may mean that your fasting blood sugar is high. If people have symptoms of high fasting blood sugar, they should not be ignored. Any precautions not taken in time may result in coma.

How to Lower Fasting Blood Sugar Value?

While exercising, our working muscles will use glucose as energy and the glucose level in the blood will decrease. Accordingly, you can keep fasting blood sugar at normal values by doing simple exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming and running.
You should pay attention to carbohydrate consumption. A low-carb diet program will help with blood sugar drops in the long run.
Be careful to consume fiber foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains) that slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and sugar.
Drinking enough water will help keep your blood sugar levels within appropriate limits.
Stress can affect the amount of sugar in the blood. You can maintain your blood sugar levels with yoga or relaxation methods.
Maintaining your weight will support your blood sugar levels.

What is Postprandial Blood Sugar?

Postprandial blood sugar is a measurement that shows how much sugar rises or falls in the blood after a meal. The postprandial blood sugar test, like the fasting blood sugar test, is very important in diagnosing diabetes.

What should be the postprandial blood sugar value?

The postprandial blood sugar level is accepted as 100 mg/dL as the lower limit and 200 mg/dL as the upper limit. A postprandial blood sugar level of 100-140 mg/dL indicates that the person is at normal (healthy) levels. A postprandial blood sugar level of 140-199 mg/dL indicates that you have prediabetes (hidden sugar). A postprandial blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL and above is the value required to diagnose diabetes. Your postprandial blood sugar level should be evaluated in detail by a specialist doctor.

How to Measure Postprandial Blood Sugar Value?

Postprandial blood sugar is measured in 2 ways. The first way is to measure it by taking a drop of blood from people’s fingers (measurement with a glucometer) or by taking blood from a vein 2 hours after eating. Before this measurement, the person should avoid food and drink for 2 hours after eating. After this test, an evaluation is made about the postprandial blood sugar level of that person. The results are a measure of the diseases and treatment processes in that person. Another way to measure postprandial blood sugar is the sugar load test. The person whose postprandial blood sugar will be measured donates blood 2 hours after the body is loaded with sugar. This sugar, which is suddenly loaded into the body, will give the postprandial blood sugar measurement value in the blood. The value obtained must be below 140 mg/dL. After all the examinations, the results are evaluated in detail by the doctor.

When Should Postprandial Blood Sugar Value Be Measured?

Postprandial blood sugar value is the value measured 2 hours after the person starts eating. For pregnant women, it should be measured 1 hour after the start of the meal.

Why Does Postprandial Blood Sugar Value Increase?

In order for postprandial blood sugar to be considered high, the value must be above 200 mg/dL, which is the upper limit. Being stressed, overeating, and not being able to meet the insulin needs of the body cause the postprandial blood sugar level to exceed the upper limit. Experiencing vision problems, urinating too frequently during the day, feeling tired, and a feeling of dryness in the mouth that does not go away, especially after eating, are symptoms of high postprandial blood sugar. Some diseases can be prevented if these symptoms are given due attention in advance. High blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and low good cholesterol can be counted among these diseases. There may be different reasons behind the high measured result.

How to Lower Postprandial Blood Sugar Value?

Care should be taken to eat healthy and regularly.
Eating whole grain foods should be made a habit.
Foods with high carbohydrate values such as starch, flour and sugar should be avoided.
Meals should not be skipped during the day.
Care should always be taken to stay at the ideal weight.
Sugar sugar should be monitored regularly and kept under control.
Stress should be avoided.
Plenty of water should be consumed.
Alcohol and cigarette consumption should be avoided.
Long periods of fasting should be avoided and light snacks should be added between meals.
Sleeping patterns and control should be done.
Medicines prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly.

Fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels are very important in diagnosing hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes and many other diseases. You need to keep your blood sugar values within reference ranges. The exercises you do and the healthy foods you consume will increase your quality of life. You can keep your blood sugar at normal standards and stay at your ideal weight with a healthy diet prescribed by your doctor.

In order to diagnose diabetes, blood measurements must be taken at regular intervals. HbA1c test must be performed to make a complete diagnosis. This test examines what percentage of hemoglobin proteins are covered with glucose. The average lifespan of red blood cells is 3 months. The HbA1c test shows the sugar level in the blood depending on this situation. As a result, the higher the HbA1c level, the higher the risk of diabetes.