Blood Sugar Check
A blood sugar check is a medical procedure that aims to measure the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The method is to take a blood sample from the fingertip using a special tool.
This test is important to monitor blood sugar levels in the body. Especially for people with diabetes or people who are at risk of experiencing problems related to blood sugar.
The problem involves a number of health disorders related to the level of glucose in a person’s blood. For example, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and metabolic disorders.
A person has high blood sugar levels if the number is more than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) before eating or 180 mg/dL 1-2 hours after eating. Symptoms usually do not appear until the sugar level is more than 250 mg/dL.
Types of Blood Sugar Checks
Blood sugar tests are divided into several types, namely:
1. Random blood sugar checks
The doctor will perform this procedure on patients with early symptoms of diabetes. For example, frequent urination, frequent thirst and drinking, frequent hunger, and unexplained weight loss.
This test shows faster results than other tests. The downside is that it tends to be less effective because it is easily affected by many things, such as food.
The range of results:
- Normal: Below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
- Prediabetes: Between 140 and 199 mg/dL.
- Diabetes: Above 200 mg/dL.
2. Check fasting blood sugar
Doctors usually perform this examination after 8–12 hours of fasting. During that time, patients are only allowed to drink water and must avoid taking supplements or multivitamins, alcohol, and smoking.
The range of results:
- Normal: Below or equal to 99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
- Prediabetes: Between 100 and 125 mg/dL.
- Diabetes: Above 126 mg/dL.
3. Blood sugar check 2 hours after eating
This procedure aims to determine the sensitivity of the insulin hormone in controlling blood sugar. This examination is a follow-up examination after a fasting blood sugar check.
The range of results:
- Non-sufferer: Below 140 mg/dL.
- People with diabetes: Below 180 mg/dL.
4. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
First, the patient will fast for 8 hours before the examination. After that, they will drink 75 milligrams of glucose fluid. Next, the doctor will perform an OGTT examination 2 hours later.
The range of results:
- Normal: Above or equal to 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
- Prediabetes: Between 140 and 199 mg/dL.
- Diabetes: Above or equal to 200 mg/dL.
5. Hemoglobin A1c examination
This procedure aims to measure the average blood sugar level in the last 3 months. Its purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes treatment and diagnose diabetes mellitus.
The results are accurate and are not affected by temporary changes in blood sugar levels. Doctors cannot perform the test if the sufferer has only shown symptoms of diabetes for less than 2 months.
The range of results:
- Normal: Below 5.7 percent.
- Prediabetes: Between 5.7 and 6.4 percent.
- Diabetes: Above or equal to 6.5 percent.
Purpose and Benefits of Blood Sugar Checks
One of the main purposes and benefits of blood sugar checks is to find out normal sugar levels in people with diabetes. If monitored normally, sufferers can know that the treatment they are doing is going well.
In addition, checking blood sugar is also a way to manage diabetes every day, even every hour. The results can help sufferers in managing food, physical activity, and insulin doses.
By monitoring, sufferers can learn to predict what can affect blood sugar levels. That is why regular blood sugar checks are important.
Here are other benefits of checking blood sugar:
- Monitor the effects of diabetes medications on blood sugar levels.
- Identify high or low blood sugar levels.
- Track progress in achieving overall care goals.
- Learn how diet and exercise can affect blood sugar levels.
- Understanding how other factors, such as illness or stress, can affect blood sugar levels.
Benefits of Regular Blood Sugar Checks for Diabetes and Obesity Sufferers
Blood sugar testing is a procedure that can diagnose and control diseases related to diabetes and obesity. Below are the benefits of regular blood sugar checks for sufferers of both disorders:
- Evaluate the overall success of treatment.
- Monitor blood sugar and minimize the risk of complications.
- Confirming the diagnosis of obesity and diabetes.
- Knowing the effect of diet and activity on blood sugar levels.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of antidiabetic drugs on blood sugar levels.
- Facilitates administration or adjustment of drug or insulin doses.
- Identifying risk factors through lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and physical activity.
Blood Sugar Check Side Effects
Blood sugar tests generally do not cause serious side effects for patients. Possible side effects that may occur include:
- A sensation of pain or stinging at the needle puncture site.
- The skin becomes red or swollen at the needle puncture area.
- Small scar or bruise at the puncture area.
- Itching or irritation at the puncture area.
- Weakness or dizziness due to physiological responses to the blood drawing process.
- Short-term changes in skin color at the puncture area.
- Allergic reaction to certain ingredients in the device.
- Feelings of anxiety or fear.
- Broken needle or technical problem with the device.
- Infection in the puncture area due to the use of non-sterile instruments.
Diseases Caused by High Blood Sugar
The following are several types of diseases caused by high blood sugar levels in the body:
- Type 2 diabetes. Causes a decreased response of the body to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
- Diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar can also trigger damage to the microvascular blood vessels in the retina.
- Diabetic neuropathy. Causes damage to blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
- Heart disease . High glucose levels damage blood vessels, trigger inflammation, and interfere with blood vessel function.
- Stroke. Increases the risk of blood clots, and blocks blood flow to the brain.
- Kidney failure. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the kidneys, disrupting the filtration process, and damaging organ tissue.
- Nerve damage. High glucose levels can damage the protective layer of nerves, and disrupt normal nerve signals and function.
- Skin infections. Can weaken the immune system and create a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and skin fungi.
- Vision problems. High blood sugar damages blood vessels in the eyes, disrupting blood flow and causing inflammation.
- Cardiovascular system disorders. High blood glucose levels can damage blood vessel walls and lead to arterial plaque buildup.
- Digestive system disorders. High blood sugar can trigger damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the digestive organs, and interfere with the function of the nerves that regulate digestion.
When is the Right Time to Check Blood Sugar?
When and how often a person should check their blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes they have and their treatment.
1. Type 1 diabetes
In people with type 1 diabetes, it is necessary to monitor blood sugar when:
- Before eating or snacking.
- 2 to 3 hours after eating.
- Before sleeping.
2. Type 2 diabetes
If a person with type 2 diabetes uses insulin, their doctor may recommend checking their blood sugar several times a day, depending on the type and amount of insulin used.
Examination is recommended before meals and before bed if you have several daily injections. Apart from that, sufferers need to do it before breakfast, before eating, or before bed.
If you do not use insulin to manage type 2 diabetes, but only with diet and exercise, you do not need to check your blood sugar every day.
3. High blood sugar
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), a person should check their blood sugar levels if they have diabetes and feel increasingly thirsty, and need to urinate more frequently.
Because, these signs can be symptoms of high blood sugar, as well as a sign that you may need to change your treatment plan. If your diabetes is well managed, but symptoms still appear, it may be a sign that you are sick or stressed.
Exercising and controlling your carbohydrate intake can help lower your blood sugar levels. If there is no change, you should see your doctor for recommendations on how to lower your blood sugar.
4. Low blood sugar
The ADA also recommends that you should check your blood sugar levels if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- The body feels shaky.
- Sweating or feeling cold.
- The mood feels irritated or impatient.
- Confused.
- Dizzy.
- Hungry and nauseous.
- Sleepy.
- Numbness of the lips or tongue.
- The body feels weak.
- The mood is angry, stubborn, or sad.
Severe symptoms such as delirium, seizures, or unconsciousness can be signs of low blood sugar or insulin shock. If you take daily insulin injections, ask your doctor about glucagon, a prescription medication that can help if you have a severe low blood sugar reaction.
5. Pregnancy
Some pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. This condition occurs when hormones interfere with the way the body uses insulin. This disruption can cause sugar to build up in the blood.
Doctors may recommend that pregnant women check their blood sugar regularly. The good news is that gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery. Know, this is the Normal Blood Sugar Level in the Body.
Blood Sugar Check Procedure
Before checking your blood sugar, you need to pay attention to these points:
1. Before the procedure
- Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements.
- Stop taking certain medications or change the dosage of medications temporarily before taking the test.
- Avoid severe stress as it can cause a temporary increase in blood glucose.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery, experienced trauma, or had a heart attack.
2. During the procedure
- Wash your hands thoroughly and wear medical gloves.
- Turn on the glucometer and insert the test strip into the device.
- Insert a sterile needle into the device, namely the lancet pen.
- Clean your fingertips with an alcohol wipe and allow them to dry.
- Massage the tip of your finger to collect blood in the area. Then prick it with a lancet pen.
- Drop blood onto the strip on the glucometer.
- Press the finger with an alcohol wipe to stop the bleeding.
3. After the procedure
The glucose analysis result will be recorded on the glucometer within a few seconds. The normal range of a person’s blood sugar is below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and above 70 mg/dL.
If the patient has lower or higher blood sugar levels, the doctor will perform the appropriate treatment method. The procedure is according to the condition and severity of the disorder.