Blood sugar (glucose) tests give immediate results. This test gives you the information you need to decide on the following things.

1. Is your blood sugar level high or low?
2. Does your diet or exercise need to change?
3. Are your diabetes medicines or treatments working?
4. Is your treatment going as expected or not?

Even if you don't have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to include this test in your routine checkup. Or, it may be done to see if you are at risk of developing diabetes.

You have an increased risk of developing diabetes if any of the following factors are true for you

1. If you are 45 years of age or older.
2. If you are overweight.
3. If you don't exercise.
4. If you have high blood pressure , triglycerides or cholesterol levels.
5. If you have a history of insulin resistance.
6. If you have a family history of diabetes.

You can test blood sugar in two ways.

1. People who have diabetes can use a glucometer on a daily basis to monitor it.
2. If someone just wants to get the test done once or twice a year, then they can go to the lab and get the test done.

Your doctor may order two types of blood sugar tests -

1. 'Fasting blood sugar test', which measures your current blood sugar level.
2. Hemoglobin A1c test, which shows your blood sugar level for the last 90 days. The results of these tests will tell whether you have prediabetes or diabetes.

What is the purpose of Blood Glucose (Sugar)

Your doctor may order a blood sugar test to see if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. This test measures the amount of glucose in your blood.

Your body takes carbohydrates from foods like grains and fruits and turns them into glucose. Glucose (a type of sugar) is one of the main sources of energy for your body.

There are tests available for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar levels that can be done at home. The results of this test will reveal your own blood sugar level, so you can see if you need to make changes to your diet, exercise, or diabetes medicines.

What happens when blood sugar levels are too high or too low?

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause 'seizures', or you can go into a coma. This happens only in rare cases.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to 'ketoacidosis'. This is a very dangerous condition for you, which is often a concern for people with type 1 diabetes. Ketoacidosis occurs when your body starts using fat only for fuel.

Best medical centre in Abu Dhabi

Adam and Eve Specialized Medical Centre provides blood sugar test and other treatments related to diabetes. Consult our internal medicine doctor today.