Understanding Glucose When Reading Blood Test Results
Glucose, also known as “blood sugar,” can pose a series of threats to one’s health if healthy levels are not maintained. Whether you are experiencing symptoms of a disease, or your physician simply recommends having routine blood work done, it is important to understand how to read blood test results in order to monitor glucose levels and avoid harmful diseases such as diabetes.
The passionate team of healthcare professionals at Surfside Urgent Care of Laguna Beach has provided a few questions to help guide patients in flagging health problems like diabetes when reading blood test results.
Questions to Ask About Your Glucose Levels
How does glucose function in the body?
Glucose can be found in carbohydrate-rich food, and functions in the body as an important source of immediate energy. During an influx of glucose, the pancreas will secrete insulin, which is an essential hormone that converts glucose into usable energy or stores it as reserve energy. With the aid of insulin, the body should be able to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Those who do not naturally produce enough insulin or consume too many carbohydrates could be at risk of serious health problems due to a lack or an overload of glucose in the blood.
What factors affect blood glucose levels?
When conducting a blood test for diabetes, or any other glucose-related disease, physicians will take your eating schedule into account. During a screening, healthy patients who have consumed food or beverages within 12 hours can expect a glucose level up to 40mg/dL higher than those who have not eaten. Carbohydrate consumption can also have long-term effects and help type 2 diabetes patients achieve lower glucose levels in future blood tests. As previously mentioned, the body’s ability to produce and use insulin will also have a major impact on the presence of glucose in the blood.
What are the health risks associated with glucose?
Patients affected by unhealthy glucose levels are classified as either hyperglycemia (excess glucose), or hypoglycemic (insufficient glucose). Hyperglycemia can be a major indication of prediabetes, type 1 and 2 diabetes, liver disease, or an overactive thyroid. Hypoglycemia can cause sufferers to feel extremely tired, and lead to fainting or seizures.
A blood test at our on-site lab will help you monitor diabetes and other serious health problems. For more information on our highly-rated services, or for any other inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us at 949-715-7278 or visit our Laguna Beach location for a blood test!