Managing diabetes requires being careful with your diet. You will also need to closely monitor blood sugar levels. Everything that you eat and drink can affect blood sugar. Skipping meals and eating large meals can also make blood sugar rise or fall. Exercise is another factor that can alter blood sugar readings. The body needs to convert the food you eat into energy. In order to do this, you need the right amount of a hormone called insulin. If the body does not produce enough insulin or it can not utilize insulin the way it needs to, your blood sugar levels may go too high. If you suspect you have diabetes, your doctor can run tests to determine your blood sugar levels. You may then have to monitor yourself at home to keep your levels in check.
Know What Test You are Taking
Step 1
Talk to a doctor about testing options. If you are exhibiting symptoms that are suggestive of diabetes, you may have pre-diabetes. There are two tests that your doctor can use to determine if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. One is the fasting plasma glucose test. You will fast for eight hours and then have your blood tested. The other is the oral glucose tolerance test. It is used during pregnancy to test for gestational diabetes. You will fast for eight to 16 hours after which time your blood is tested. Your physician will then give you some glucose and test you to see how your body responds.
Step 2
Examine your oral glucose tolerance test results. If after two hours of the test administration, your blood glucose levels are no more then 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl ) your blood sugar is considered at a normal level. If during this time your levels are between 140 and 199 mg/dl, your levels are considered high. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when a pregnant women has a combination of any of the two situations, a fasting plasma glucose of more than 95 mg/dl, a one-hour glucose level of more than 180 mg/dl, a two-hour glucose level of more than 155 mg/dl, or a three-hour glucose level of more than 140 mg/dl.
Step 3
Know the normal blood sugar levels for the fasting plasma glucose test. Normal fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL. Even if your blood sugar levels are normal, you may still be at risk for diabetes if you are experiencing symptoms or have lifestyle habits that place you at higher risk. If you blood sugar levels test between 101 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL, your doctor may diagnose you with pre-diabetes.
Step 4
Recognize the levels that suggest diabetes. Hyperglycemia means that you have too high of a blood sugar level. At this stage insulin is not helping the body to process the food. When two different blood tests by your doctor show that the fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL or higher, you may be diagnosed with diabetes. When you are testing with an at home device, a level of more than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after a meal is considered high.
Step 5
Make sure that your levels do not drop too low. Taking too much medication or insulin, skipping meals and too much alcohol can lead to blood sugar levels that are too low. Heavy exercise or physical activity can also make your levels drop to a dangerous level as well. If you have diabetes and your blood sugar levels are below 70 mg/dL you may be diagnosed with hypoglycemia. Diagnosing this condition requires you to go through a supervised fast for 48 to 72 hours or until blood glucose levels drop below 45 mg/dL. Testing will be done during the fast to help determine what is causing the blood sugar levels to drop.
Tips and Warnings
- If you suspect you have diabetes, talk to your doctor to schedule the appropriate tests. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you can get your condition under control. The results above are a basic overview and may not apply to all patients. Discuss your test results with your physician to fully understand your condition.
- If you have been told by your healthcare providers to monitor your blood sugar levels, make sure that you follow their directions. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia left untreated can both lead to serious life-threatening conditions.
