Glucose is a sugar in your bloodstream, and its levels fluctuate depending on your diet and health. A high level of glucose for a prolonged period is usually a sign of diabetes. If you feel that you might be at risk of diabetes, speak to your physician. Tests can determine whether your glucose level is too high or too low.
Sources of Glucose
Your body obtains glucose by metabolizing carbohydrates such as pasta, bread and cereal as well as fruits, vegetables and sugars (fructose, dextrose, etc). The amounts they contain and the rate at which they break down all vary. Simple carbohydrates such as white flour and processed table sugar metabolize quickly and can spike your glucose level, whereas complex carbohydrates from whole grains metabolize much more slowly.
Function
When you consume food, the digestive system breaks it down into glucose, amino acids and fatty acids. Glucose becomes energy that the blood transports to various organs to be consumed by the cells. Without this energy, the cells will starve and die. For glucose to be used, it must first be metabolized by the hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. If there is not enough insulin produced, or if it can't work properly, the glucose is unable to feed the cells and will remain in the bloodstream until it is excreted in urine.
Tests
If your physician suspects you may have diabetes, he might order a glucose tolerance test. It begins with a blood sample taken after you have fasted for a specific period of time. This indicates your glucose level on an empty stomach. You then will be given a high-glucose drink. After your body has had a few hours to metabolize the glucose, another blood sample is taken to check glucose levels. An unusually high level of glucose can mean you have diabetes, whereas a very low number can mean you are hypoglycemic.
Many types of glucose meters are available that take a drop of blood, usually from your finger, and measure your glucose level. A similar test can be done at a doctor's office or a laboratory.
Normal Levels
Normal levels of glucose vary depending on the test. If you're taking a glucose tolerance test, the level after fasting should be 60 to 100 mg per deciliter. Two hours after you drink the glucose, the level should be less than 140 mg/dL, notes the National Institutes of Health. For a test at home with a glucose monitor, the reading should be between 70 and 130 mg/dL on an empty stomach and less than 180 mg/dL after you eat.
Other Factors
Your glucose level is affected not only by your diet but also by your health and your activity level. To get a good reading for an at-home test, don't test when you're sick. Test at the same time and eat at the same time for several days.
