Blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is one of the body's main sources of fuel. Glucose supplies energy to the brain, muscles, cells and is required for normal body functions. Diabetics have a disease that interferes with their body's ability to convert glucose into energy. If left unmanaged, high glucose levels can lead to kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and loss of limb.
The normal blood glucose range for healthy individuals is 70 to 100 mg/dl. Glucose levels can rise and fall over the course of a day, depending on meals, stress and exercise. As long as the glucose levels return to normal within a short period of time, there is nothing to be concerned about. However, if glucose levels remain high, they could indicate pre-diabetes.
The best way to determine your risk for diabetes is to have a Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) test. After fasting for 12 hours, a laboratory technician will draw a small sample of blood from you, using a syringe. The blood is analyzed for blood glucose.
Healthy individuals (as well as diabetics with well-managed diabetes) should have a blood glucose concentration less than 100 mg/dl. Glucose levels from 100 to 125 mg/dl indicate pre-diabetes. Levels over 125 mg/dl indicate unmanaged diabetes.
