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Controlling Blood Sugar

The amount of glucose present in the blood is known as blood sugar concentration of glucose level. In a human body there should normally be between 3.3 to 7 grams (for an average male with blood volume of 5 liters approximately. However, glucose levels fluctuate, for example a few hours after a meal it can go up by a few grams. Blood glucose levels are usually the lowest in the morning before breakfast. Glucose that is transported through the bloodstream from the liver or intestines provides the primary source of energy for the body’s cells, fat and oils. (Lipids are the primary being a compact energy store.

When we fail to control our blood glucose levels at a normal range it often leads to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Diabetes Mellitus is a state where conditions of hyperglycemia (high) or hypoglycemia (low) exists.

The levels of glucose in blood are monitored by the cells in the pancreas’s Islets of Langerhans. When we do heavy exercise or go for too long a period without eating our blood glucose levels fall dangerously. This triggers the Alpha cells of the pancreas to release the hormone glucagon that acts on liver cells to increase blood glucose levels. In a process called glycogenolysis they convert glycogen into glucose which is then released into the blood stream to increase the blood sugar levels. Other reasons for blood sugar increases often include stress hormones like adrenaline, steroids, infections, trauma and of course food.

If blood sugars rise either from glycogen conversion or diet a different type of hormone is released called insulin that causes the liver to convert glucose into glycogen which forces about 2/3 of the body cells (mostly muscle and fat tissue cells) to absorb the glucose from the blood. This then decrease the blood sugar level as the insulin also sends signals to other body systems as the chief regulatory metabolic control that we have.

Monitoring and testing is still the key to regulation and controlling of diabetes both type 1 and type 2. One system is a chemical method that glucose will have a reaction with a changing color indicator strip. A Claucometer is a home monitoring blood glucose assay method that uses a strip impregnated with a Glucose Oxidase reagent. Another type involves a chemically treated test strip that is inserted into a meter to give a reading to the patient. Urine glucose readings were once commonly used but are now rarely taken because of their inaccuracies.

The types of blood glucose laboratory tests in use today include:Fasting blood sugar test (ie, glucose) Urine glucose test Two-hour postprandial blood sugar test Oral glucose tolerance test Intravenous glucose tolerance test Glycosylated hemoglobin Self-monitoring of glucose levels with the patients private meter.

It should be noted that there are several things that can cause major influences or discrepancies on blood glucose levels besides what we eat. Infections, physical and psychological stress and exercise if prolonged or too long after a meal. Meters should be tested often to ensure they are accurate with no greater than 10%accuracy wait. Your health care team, doctors or often even your local pharmacy can test these for you in most cases. New meters can also often be procured for free if you fulfill the prescription for test strips.

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