Content Starts Here
Blood glucose levels
Reviewed by Professor Ian W Campbell, consultant physician and Dr Soon Song, consultant physician
What is the blood sugar level?
The blood sugar level is the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as serum glucose level. It is expressed as millimoles per litre (mmol/l).
Normally, blood glucose levels stay within narrow limits throughout the day: 4 to 8mmol/l. But they are higher after meals and usually lowest in the morning.
In diabetes the blood sugar level moves outside these limits until treated. Even with good control of diabetes, the blood sugar level will still at times drift outside this normal range.
Why control blood sugar levels?
For reasons that are not well understood, when very high levels of blood glucose are present for years, it leads to damage of the small blood vessels.
This in turn increases your risk of developing late-stage diabetes complications such as:
With Type 1 diabetes, these complications may start to appear 10 to 15 years after diagnosis.
It's often less than 10 years after diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, because this type of diabetes is often present for years before it is recognised.
By keeping the blood sugar level stable, you significantly reduce your risk of these complications.
How can I measure blood sugar levels?
A pharmacist or the diabetes clinic nurse can advise you about the best model.
You can usually obtain a blood glucose meter at little or no cost via the diabetes clinic.
Testing strips are available on NHS prescription.
What should glucose levels be?
How often should blood glucose levels be measured?
Measuring blood sugar levels in the morning before any food gives an indication of the amount of insulin needed overnight.
If you have Type 2 diabetes that's being treated with insulin, you should also follow this schedule.
If you take oral treatments
You should also do a 24-hour profile once or twice a month. This means measuring glucose levels before each meal.
Not everyone with Type 2 diabetes needs to carry out regular blood glucose checks.
For elderly people and those with other medical problems, it is often enough to check the urine for glucose - usually before breakfast and the evening meal.
This is because while good control of diabetes is important, cardiovascular complications (heart attacks, stroke, angina) are the main cause of serious illness and death in people with this type of diabetes.
So people with Type 2 diabetes will benefit from tackling the factors that contribute to their cardiovascular risk by:
Blood glucose levels at bedtime
If blood glucose is very low or very high at bedtime, you may need to adjust your food intake or insulin dose. Make sure you discuss this with your doctor.
The ideal values are:
It depends on your lifestyle - the needs of someone with diabetes who's also a PE instructor are quite different to someone who sits at a computer all day.
If your diabetes is treated with tablets or a special diet (Type 2), you should measure your blood glucose levels once or twice a week - either before meals or 90 minutes after a meal.
The blood sugar level at bedtime should be between 7 and 10 mmol/l.
Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use
© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
