Blood Sugar Test
An Inclusive Synopsis of Blood sugar test – Step By Step Guide
Blood sugar is a concentration of glucose in blood stream
of human body. This is the primary source of energy which comes majorly from
the food that is consumed. The body breaks down the consumed food into glucose
and releases into blood stream. Then the body sends signals to pancreas to
release insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose to absorb into blood
which can be used to get energy from cells. Usually, the body regulates the
level of sugar in blood, however sometimes the body doesn’t regularise the
levels and as a result the sufferer from diabetes.
Synopsis of the Blood
sugar test
When the body doesn’t regularise the level it has to be
tested regularly as this may lead to severe medical complications. Blood sugar
test is a vital part of diabetes care. Usually, the test can be done at home by
the patient himself. The device to test the blood sugar is very convenient and user-friendly.
However, in-case of the levels are found to be too high or low the tests needs
to be done under professional guidance.
Types and procedure of Blood
sugar test
There are two main types of test:
Capillary blood glucose
test, where the
health care professional collects a drop of blood, usually from the finger tip.
This blood drop is then collected on a strip and this strip is placed on the
glucometer (a device to measure accurate glucose levels in body). The result
show the level of sugar in body. A normal person has fasting blood sugar level
less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). Another is Venous (plasma) blood glucose test, where
a phlebotomist (a person who is certified to prick the blood vein to collect
blood for testing). Generally, under medical terms Venous (plasma) blood
glucose test is thought to give more accurate results than Capillary blood
test. Usually, the Venous (plasma) blood glucose test is can also be done to
check the previous three months sugar level in body.
There are
two main types of diabetes: Type1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type1 diabetes
is a normal case where the sufferer has to do tests before meal, snacks,
exercise and bed. Sometimes during night. In-case the person is on insulin to
cope with type 2 diabetes, the person might require to do tests several time of
the day. In such cases sugar testing is recommended before meals and at bedtime
if the patient is consuming multiple injections. In case the patient is able to
control the glucose levels with the help of proper diet and exercise then he
might not require to do test daily.
Testing blood sugar is a very easy process. Hands have to
be clean before taking the test. A strip is inserted into a meter, then the
patients finger-tip is pricked with a needle (lancet) given with the test kit.
Later a drop of blood is collected on the strip and this strip is placed on the
meter and the machine displays accurate results.
Benefits of Blood sugar
test
The blood sugar testing is a very vital part of the
treatment. The blood sugar test helps monitor the sugar level in person’s body.
Identify the progress of treatment. Also can identify previous 3 months report.
