Blood sugar is also known as glucose. Glucose is the most basic form used by cells that form muscles and other tissues for energy. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of glucose. Carbohydrates are found mostly in bread, potatoes, rice, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, all types of chocolate, candy, and cookies contain high amounts of carbohydrates. The system that measures the effect of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels is called the glycemic index. If you eat too much carbohydrate-based food, the amount of sugar absorbed from the intestines will be too much, and your blood sugar will rise accordingly. Blood sugar tests are tests that measure the glucose level in your blood. The amount of glucose in our blood provides information about our body’s health. Measuring blood sugar levels is one of the most important measurements to be made during health checks.
What is Fasting Blood Sugar?
This test is performed by taking blood from a vein after a person has fasted for 8 to 12 hours. This test provides information about whether a person has hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. However, a fasting blood sugar test alone is not a sufficient assessment.
What Should Fasting Blood Sugar Level Be?
Fasting blood sugar levels are accepted as the lower limit of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and the upper limit of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If the fasting blood sugar level is between 70-100 mg/dL, it is known to be normal (healthy). In pregnant women, the fasting blood sugar level should be below 95 mg/dL. If the values are outside the normal range after having a fasting blood sugar test, it indicates that you may have hypoglycemia, prediabetes (hidden diabetes) 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 diabetes).
A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL and higher indicates that you have diabetes.
Your 2 measured fasting blood sugar test results should definitely be evaluated by your doctor in a general manner.
How to Measure Fasting Blood Sugar Value?
Fasting blood sugar measurement is done by taking a blood sample from the patient after 8 to 12 hours of fasting. Before this period, people should stay away from situations that will cause stress. At the same time, products such as alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine are products that will have a negative effect on the measurement results. For this reason, these products should be avoided.
How Many Hours Should You Fast to Check Your Fasting Blood Sugar Level?
For the most accurate fasting blood sugar measurement, it is necessary to fast for 8 to 12 hours. The most suitable time for this time range is overnight fasting. If this is preferred, fasting blood sugar should be measured immediately in the morning.
After How Many Hours Can Fasting Blood Sugar Levels Be Measured?
Fasting blood sugar levels are measured after a person has been fasting for 8 to 12 hours. If a person gives a blood sample for fasting blood sugar after fasting for 8 to 12 hours, the measurement can be made.
Why Does Fasting Blood Sugar Level Increase?
The insulin hormone produced in the pancreas transfers glucose taken from food to the cells in the tissues. If the amount of insulin is low, glucose cannot enter the cells and the blood sugar level increases. If a person measures after 8 to 12 hours of fasting and the upper limit of 126 mg/dL and above, it indicates that their fasting blood sugar is high.
High fasting blood sugar is common. However, some people are at greater risk. People with a family history of diabetes and people aged 45-50 are considered to be at greater risk.
If you have a desire to drink a lot of water, if you urinate frequently at night, if you have a loss of appetite or if you have a desire to eat a lot, 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 that are not taken in time can result in coma.
How to Lower Fasting Blood Sugar Levels?
- While exercising, our working muscles will use glucose as energy and the level of glucose 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, running.
- You should pay attention to carbohydrate consumption. A low-carb diet program will help lower blood sugar in the long run.
- Be sure to consume fiber-rich 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 normal 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 is present in the blood after a meal, whether it increases or decreases. Postprandial blood sugar test is also very important in diagnosing diabetes, like fasting blood sugar test.
What Should Postprandial Blood Sugar Level Be?
The postprandial blood sugar level is accepted as 100 mg/dL as the lower limit and 200 mg/dL as the upper limit. If the postprandial blood sugar level is 100-140 mg/dL, it shows that the person is at normal (healthy) values. A postprandial blood sugar level value of 140-199 mg/dL indicates that you have prediabetes (hidden diabetes). A postprandial blood sugar level value of 200 mg/dL and above is the value required to diagnose diabetes. Your postprandial blood sugar value must be evaluated in detail by a specialist doctor.
How to Measure Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels?
Postprandial blood sugar is measured in 2 ways. The first way is to take a drop of blood from a person’s finger 2 hours after eating (measurement with a glucometer) or by taking blood from a vein. Before this measurement, the person should refrain from consuming food and beverages 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 of that person. Another way to measure postprandial blood sugar is the sugar loading test. The person whose postprandial blood sugar will be measured gives blood 2 hours after loading the body with sugar. This sugar loaded into the body all of a sudden will give the postprandial blood sugar measurement value in the blood. The value obtained should be below 140 mg/dL. After all the tests, the results are evaluated in detail by the doctor.
When Should Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels Be Measured?
Postprandial blood sugar is the value measured 2 hours after a person starts eating. Pregnant women should measure it 1 hour after starting a meal.
Why Does Postprandial Blood Sugar Level Increase?
In order for postprandial blood sugar to be considered high, it must be above the upper limit of 200 mg/dL. Being stressed, eating too much, and not being able to meet the insulin your body needs can cause postprandial blood sugar to exceed the upper limit. Visual problems, frequent urination during the day, feeling tired, and a persistent dry mouth, especially after eating, are symptoms of high postprandial blood sugar. If these symptoms are given due importance in advance, some diseases can be prevented. High blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and low good cholesterol can be considered among these diseases. There may also be different reasons for the measured result to be high.
How to Lower Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels?
- Attention should be paid to a healthy and regular diet.
- Eating whole grain foods should be made a habit.
- Foods with high carbohydrate content such as starch, flour and sugar should be avoided.
- Meals should not be skipped during the day.
- Care should always be taken to maintain ideal weight.
- Regular sugar monitoring should be done 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.
- Sleep patterns and controls should be established.
- Medicines prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly.
Fasting and postprandial blood sugar values are very important in diagnosing hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes and many other diseases. You need to keep your blood sugar levels 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 the healthy diet recommended by your doctor.
In order to diagnose diabetes, blood measurements must be taken at regular intervals. In order to make a complete diagnosis, an HbA1c test should be performed. This test checks what percentage of hemoglobin proteins are coated with glucose. The average lifespan of red blood cells is 3 months. The HbA1c test shows the level of sugar in the blood depending on this situation. As a result, the higher the HbA1c level, the higher the risk of becoming a diabetic.