normal, high, what is the dangerous rate?

Glycemia corresponds to the level of glucose (sugar) contained in the blood. Part of the glucose found in the blood is transformed into glycogen that provides the body into energy. Controlling your blood sugar lets you know if there is a problem in insulin production, the hormone that regulates sugar levels. “”This also makes it possible to determine whether the patient has diabetes or a disorder of glucose regulation, especially since diabetes is a silent pathology. It is therefore useful to check your blood sugar, even in the absence of symptoms as soon as there is a higher risk of having diabetes (family history, overweight, the existence of other health problems hypertension)“Explains Dr. Marc Popelier, a specialist in diabetology specialist in Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris. The dosage of blood sugar is prescribed by a doctor during a consultation or in the hospital when the patient has symptoms evocative of a drop in insulin secretion such as: thirst, fatigue, a recurring mycosis infection, a weight loss.

He can also prescribe this examination if, on the contrary, he suspects an abnormal elevation of insulin secretion (when the patient makes discomfort for example). This examination is also recommended for people with high risk factors (such as overweight or with family history of diabetes) during pregnancy to detect gestational diabetes.

What makes blood sugar vary in blood?

In the body, the regulation of blood sugar is done thanks to a permanent balance between different hormones.

► Insulin for example – a hormone produced by pancreas – lowers blood sugar, while glucagon, adrenaline, growth hormone or cortisol increase it.

► Food, physical activity, stress also vary blood sugar. If it works properly, the pancreas produces insulin as a function of blood sugar. After a meal rich in carbohydrates, blood sugar rises and stimulates the release of insulin. This hormone is attached to the membranes of certain cells, thus promoting the entry of glucose into cells and ensuring the drop in blood sugar.

To test the blood sugar of an unmatched diabetic person, a blood test is made on an empty stomach. “”In the presence of symptoms, a urinary test can be carried out“, Specifies the specialist in diabetology. If the examination consists of a blood test, it is generally carried out at the fold of the elbow, after having set up a tourniquet. If the doctor opts for a urine sample, a reactive strip is soaked in urine and makes it possible to detect the presence of glucose.

A diabetic person can verify his blood sugar herself, thanks to a portable device which allows to take a drop of blood at the level of the finger (we speak of capillary blood sugar or dextro). By capillarity, blood is gradually climbing on a strip. “”The results can be noted and be subject to discussions with the caregiver or be used immediately for action (do physical activity for example)“, He adds. Finally, there are for people treated by insulin (several injections per day) devices that measure the glucose level in the tissues without having to prick yourself at the tip of your finger.

What is the normal rate of fasting blood sugar?

A fasting, a so -called “normal” blood sugar must be between 0.70 and 1 gram of glucose per liter of blood. Until two hours after the meal, blood sugar can rise up to 1.4 g/l. The dosage of blood sugar after a meal is not sufficient to assert the diagnosis of diabetes. We talk about diabetes when this value exceeds 1.26g/l, on an empty stomach and with at least two blood sugar controls.

Table: What is the right blood sugar level on an empty stomach?

Low blood sugar: rate, what causes?

Below 0.70 g/L, we speak of hypoglycemia. That is to say that the blood sugar level is too low. “”The fact of ingesting a piece of sugar or something sweet makes it possible to go up the blood sugar level: on average, the ingestion of 15 g of sugar (3 pieces) makes it possible to go up the blood sugar from 0.5g/L“Indicates Dr Popelier.”Hypoglycemia manifests itself by symptoms such as pain, weakness, tremors that can go as far as uneasiness. These episodes are favored by a significant physical effort or a meal too low in carbohydrates“. On the other hand, if several tests indicate frequent hypoglycemia or associated with symptoms such as stunning, tremors, concentration disorders, brutal headaches, additional examinations must be carried out in order to understand the causes, the circumstances of occurrence and to envisage suitable treatment.

High fasting blood sugar: rate, what causes?

Above 1 g/l (fasting or more than two hours after the meal), we then speak of moderate hyperglycemia, that is to say that the blood sugar level is too high. Hyperglycemia can manifest itself by the frequent desire to urinate, intense thirst, a great drought of the mouth and tongue or a feeling of exaggerated fatigue. But sometimes these symptoms go unnoticed, hence the importance of regular control of its blood sugar in the event of a risk factor (family history, overweight …). There are many causes of hyperglycemia:

• a disruption of the pancreas and the secretion of insulin,
• The release of glucose by the liver when the latter did not have any nutritional intake for more than 8 hours,
• too much dehydration,
• an excess of fever,
• Taking certain drugs (such as cortisone for example).

If after a second control with a value greater than 1 g/l, you still have hyperglycemia, you will have to perform other blood sugar tests (generally a dosage of glycated hemoglobin, a more precise index for research or monitoring a diabetes): hyperglycemia can reveal diabetes or glucose intolerance, what is called a pre-diabetes ( Non -diabetic hyperglycemia, but which must be monitored because it is often the frequent stage of transition to type 2 diabetes).

Diabetes a result greater than 1.26g/l of blood (on an empty stomach and if two controls are greater than this value) indicates a diabetes, “A complex disease that certainly involves pancreas, but also other organs such as liver, muscles and intestines“. A person with diabetes must be taken care of (insulin injections or treatment with hypoglycemic drugs) and reflect on what could be put in place on a daily basis, in particular concerning food or physical activity. Finally, in people diagnosed with diabetics, hyperglycemia can translate a bad dosage or ineffectiveness of treatment (broken insulin pump, ketones in the urine) and will help adjust the treatment. “It is then useful that patients and caregivers agree on the measures to be taken according to the results of the various controls“, He concludes.

If it is impossible to fight against the malfunction of the pancreas or insulin it secretes, some hygieno-dietetic measures can help you reduce the level of blood sugar:

• Weight loss (even 2 or 3 kg may be enough to improve the situation) if you are overweight,
• a healthy and balanced diet, “iThere are no foods to stigmatize, but the enemy is often in caloric excess. Fat is just as much to take into account as sugar“, he specifies.
• occasional alcohol consumption,
• smoking cessation,
• A regular sports practice is helping to improve blood sugar.

Thank you to Dr. Marc Popelier, specialist in diabetology specialist in La Pitié-Salpêtrière (Paris).