What is Postprandial Blood Sugar?

For people with diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. As a result, blood sugar levels may be too high. Over time, consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to complications such as nerve, eye, kidney, and heart damage. Postprandial refers to after meals.

What is a postprandial blood sugar test?

Also known as a two-hour PPG test, a postprandial blood sugar test is done to see how the body responds to starch and sugar after a meal. As the body digests food in the stomach, blood sugar levels increase sharply. The pancreas responds by releasing insulin to help move glucose from the blood into cells of tissues such as muscles where it is used for energy or fuel. Two hours after eating, blood glucose and insulin levels should return to the normal range. However, if blood sugar levels remain high, it shows that you may have diabetes.

Why do you need the test?

In most cases, you may need a postprandial blood glucose level test if your physician wants to determine whether you have insulin-related disorders such as diabetes. Your healthcare provider may suggest this test if you have symptoms such as:

  • Tiredness
  • Frequent urination
  • Sores and wounds that heal slowly
  • Unusual thirst
  • Blurred vision
  • Repeated infections

For pregnant women, this test screens for gestational diabetes. Prompt treatment of gestational diabetes helps reduce risk for health problems for the mother as well as the baby.Postprandial Blood sugar test

Other tests that might be done with this test

In most cases, healthcare providers request other tests to evaluate or confirm diabetes diagnosis. These tests include:

  • Fasting blood sugar test: This test measures blood sugar levels after at least 8 hours without eating (overnight fast).
  • Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C/HbA1c) test: Measures blood glucose levels over a period of about 3 months.
  • Glucose tolerance test: This lab test checks how the body moves glucose from the blood into muscle, fat and other tissue.

What do the lab test results mean?

Results usually vary depending on various factors such as the test method used, health history, gender, age, and other things. However, your test results do not necessarily mean you have a problem. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor about what the results mean specifically for you.

Results for postprandial blood sugar levels are usually displayed in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and normal test results are:

  • For non-diabetics: below 140 mg/dL
  • For people with diabetes: below 180 mg/dL

In case your blood sugar level is still high 2 hours after eating, it indicates that you may have diabetes or prediabetes.

Factors that may affect postprandial blood sugar test results include:

  • Extreme stress
  • Smoking during the test period
  • Eating candy or snacks just before being tested
  • Working out just before you’re tested
  • Inability to eat as recommended

Notify your healthcare provider about all supplements, medicines, vitamins, and herbs you’re taking. This includes all illegal drugs as well as medications that don’t require a prescription.

Knowing your postprandial blood glucose levels gives you control over your condition

postprandial blood sugarInformation on your postprandial blood sugar levels can help you detect problematic areas in very important ways. According to the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) when blood sugar levels rise after meals, and remain elevated, it is usually hard to lower them to the desired range. It is important to keep in mind that continuously high A1C levels increase the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.

Measuring PPG helps determine whether pre-meal bolus insulin or dietary modifications are needed to reduce spikes. PPG therapy and monitoring is recommended for patients whose A1C levels remain above target even after achieving their pre-meal blood glucose targets.

Who should check postprandial blood sugar levels?

Your specific condition as well as your blood sugar level goals help determine how often PPG tests should be done. Your healthcare team can help you determine your target goals and testing regimen. According to the ADA, certain people should test blood sugar and PPG levels more frequently, these include:

  • Pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes
  • Patients who are trying a new insulin dosage or new insulin
  • People with uncontrolled diabetes
  • People who are under multiple medications
  • People who are at risk of low or high blood sugar

Carbohydrates make a higher contribution to postprandial blood sugar levels than the protein and fat content of a meal. Checking PPG on a regular basis helps you determine the best balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to count carbs in a bid to achieve your blood sugar level goals, especially after eating.

Read more about normal random blood sugar levels HERE.

Postprandial Blood Sugar

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The Dangers of Extremely High Blood Sugar Levels

There are many dangers of having an extremely high blood sugar level. When the insulin levels are low the glucose skyrockets, which can permanently damage the body. The damage that the body can sustain includes heart damage and the increased chance of getting:

extremely high blood sugarwhich can be life threatening in the end. Extremely high blood sugar symptoms include tiredness, dehydration, a very dry mouth, vomiting and nausea, excessive urination, stomach pain and other side effects.  Hypoglycemia, or extremely low blood sugar, is also very dangerous and can lead to fainting, dizziness, confusion, hunger, feeling sweaty or clammy, increased heartbeat and other serious life threatening problems that can be dealt with by adding some simple sugar to the system.

If your blood glucose levels remain too low, or too high, for a long period of time, this can cause what is called a diabetic coma.

So what happens when a person goes into a Diabetic Coma?

It is a life-threatening complication of diabetes that causes unconsciousness – if you don’t seek medical help immediately, this can be fatal. All people with diabetes are at risk of diabetic coma. The very first this you would do if faced with this situation is to call 911. This is an emergency situation.

Treatment for a diabetic coma

Hyperglycemic diabetic coma:  Which is if you have extremely high blood sugar levels, the medical professional will administer insulin and rehydrate the patient.

Hypoglycemic diabetic coma:  The patient would be injected with glucagon and give glucose.

How to Care for Extremely High Blood Sugar.

extremely high blood sugar

Monitoring your blood glucose levels constantly: helps diabetics to avoid the complications that can arise. This is done with a blood glucose meter. There are many different kinds of meters to choose from. Many of the meters available today are quite small and easy to use.

Most of the meters available have fast test times, only really require a tiny blood sample and you are able to download the results to keep good records of your levels.

Here’s some of the popular, portable and preferred pocket-sized meters you may want to look into:

  • Lifescan One Touch Ultraeasy
  • Abbott Diabetes Care Freestyle
  • Accu-Chek Mobile
  • Accu-Chek Aviva Nano
  • Truone by Home Diagnostics
  • Bayer’s contour Next USB

 Diets can easily help with your extremely high blood sugar.

The correct diet for diabetes, will certainly help to lower your high blood glucose levels and maintain them. The foods you choose to eat can be so important to your overall health and wellbeing. What you eat can make an enormous difference to your blood sugar levels,  to your cholesterol and also your blood pressure levels.

These days we are advised by our diabetes health care professionals to focus more on creating healthy eating patterns, lower in saturated fats and higher in fiber, and our overall weight control.

extremely high blood sugarHigh Fiber Foods:

High fiber foods are beneficial as they have a low glycemic index. They regulate blood sugar metabolism and improve the health of the digestive system. A fiber-rich diet is generally lower in fat and sugar and makes you feel “fuller” for longer! You can find soluble fibers in oat bran, barley, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seed husks and flaxseed.

diabetic comaPlant Foods:

All fresh, whole, unprocessed plant foods are beneficial. Below are a few of these listed, that have been shown to improve blood sugar management.

  • Green tea
  • coffee
  • cocoa
  • black rice
  • Pumpkin, beans, eggplant
  • Blueberries, black currants, raspberries and strawberries

hyperglycemia treatmentProtein Foods:

Animal proteins that contain very little carbohydrates will reduce the glycemic index of foods they are eaten with and help to stabilize your blood sugar levels. Lamb is a great option. Free range preferably organic chicken is a good source of protein – but the best you could  probably get would be fish! Make sure it’s wild fish though, as fish farming is becoming an increasing problem with all the chemicals and the antibiotics used in the farming processes.

Exercise is Vital for Extremely High Blood sugar

I’m sure we could probably all gain from a few lifestyle changes – one of the main one being exercise! Some of these changes can certainly be challenging, but if you have diabetes, you really do need to make them a priority in your life. It’s no secret that losing those extra kilos and keeping them off, will definitely help to control your blood sugar levels. Apart form losing  weight, regular exercise also increases insulin  sensitivity. It’s recommended that a diabetic perform at least two and a half hours of medium to vigorous intensity exercise in a week. some examples would be fast walking, swimming, jogging, water aerobics.

 So talk to your doctor about lowering your dangerously high blood sugar levels!.

what to do when blood sugar is high

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Facts on What is Good Blood Sugar Level

What is good blood sugar level?

This is a question everyone should know the answer to. A blood sugar test measures the amount of a particular type of sugar, glucose, in the blood. Knowing and maintaining a normal blood sugar level ensures that the body continues to function properly. It is also important to know what levels indicate high or low blood sugar levels. They could be indicators of other underlying conditions.

Test that Determines What a Normal Blood Sugar Level is.

What is Good Blood Sugar Level, normal glucose levelBlood tests vary depending on when blood is taken. The fasting blood sugar test is done after going eight hours without eating or drinking anything except water.

This is usually done before breakfast or a morning dose of insulin is taken. Good blood sugar levels are expected to fall between 70 and 99 milligrams per deciliter. If it is 126mg/dL or more, it is high. If it is 40mg/dL it is too low.

Post-Meal blood sugar level is done exactly two hours after you start to eat your last meal. This level is expected to be higher than at any other time. This is because it takes about two hours for any carbohydrates you have eaten to be converted into glucose and absorbed into the blood. Normal blood sugar levels range between 70 and 145 milligrams per deciliter. Random tests are done to measure blood sugar level at any time of the day. If sugar levels are normal then the results will not vary much. Normal blood sugar levels range from 70 to 125 mg/dL. If it is 200ml/dL, it is too high.

What It Means When Test Shows Levels are Above or Below Normal Blood Sugar Levels

When blood sugar level is high, it could mean that there is insufficient insulin in your blood. Diabetes may be the cause of this. If glucose levels remain high, it could cause damage to the eyes, kidneys and nerves. Other tests will have to be done to accurately determine whether you have diabetes. When levels fall below what is good blood sugar level, it could indicate high amounts of insulin in your system. This comes about due to the presence of a tumor that is releasing too much insulin, malnutrition, eating disorders, or hypothyroidism.

normal glucose level,   Importance of Knowing Normal Blood Sugar Levels

It is important to know what range your blood sugar should be in. To fully appreciate the importance of this, you should know what higher and lower levels mean to your health. Simple blood tests can be carried out to determine these levels. Some of the tests require a bit of preparation, but the casual (random) test needs none. Before concluding that you have any other underlying condition, it is advisable that you have a doctor carry out more tests to accurately measure your blood sugar levels.

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What Number Is Low Blood Sugar For A Diabetic

What number is low blood sugar for a diabetic? That depends on the age of the diabetic and the type of diabetes that he or she has. According to the International Diabetes Federation:.

  • A child with diabetes should have a blood glucose level ranging from 4 to 8 mmol/L.
  • Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes should have a blood glucose level ranging from 4 to 7 mmol/L.

What Number Is Low Blood Sugar, low blood sugar levelHowever, a diabetic’s glucose level will always rise right after eating. A child with diabetes may have a blood glucose level of up to 10 mmol/L. Those who have type two diabetes may have a glucose level ranging from 4 to 9 mmol/L while those with type one diabetes should never have a blood glucose level of over 8.5 mmol/L.

 How to Normalize Your Blood Sugar

You should not only focus on what the number of a low blood sugar level is but instead try to maintain a healthy blood sugar average within the ranges mentioned above. As each person is different, seeking advice from a doctor is the first step.

blood sugar range
Blood Sugar Range

Only your doctor will be able to give specific advice regarding diet, exercise and medication.

Eating certain foods may cause blood sugar levels to rise or fall. Dr. Bernstein notes in his book “Dr. Bernstein’s Revised and Updated 2011 Diabetes Solution” that a person with type 1 diabetes should have a low carb diet and get plenty of exercise. The American Diabetes Association notes that a person with type 2 diabetes simply needs to maintain a healthy diet and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.

Low Blood Sugar Level and What to do if its too Low?

A person who knows the low blood sugar number will notice when his or her blood sugar level dips too low. If this happens, then eating a candy, drinking fruit juice or taking a glucose tablet will immediately resolve the problem. Those who are prone to low blood sugar should keep the above mentioned around the house, in the car and at the office in case blood sugar levels suddenly drop.

Simple Things You can Do to Control Your Blood Sugar

low blood sugar levelA diabetic should do all that he or she can to maintain healthy blood sugar levels by eating right, exercising and following a doctor’s specific counsel and advice. Knowing what your low blood sugar levels are can help a person avoid the dangerous effects of hypoglycemia. In short, the answer to the question “What number is low blood sugar” is that any number under 4 mmol/L is dangerous.

Blood sugar range, what is a good number for diabetes

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Just How Low Is Low Blood Sugar

How low is low blood sugar?

Generally speaking, your blood sugar should never dip to 70 mg/dL or lower. When a person’s blood sugar dips lower than it should, this is known as hypoglycemia. It is a dangerous condition that could even be life threatening if not attended to. While hypoglycemia is more of a problem for diabetics than for non-diabetics, it should be noted that 70 mg/dL is the standard limit for what constitutes low blood sugar.

Causes and Symptoms

How Low Is Low Blood SugarHypoglycemia can be caused by one or more factors. It is often brought on if either glucose or insulin is released into the bloodstream too quickly. Taking insulin or diabetes medication at the wrong time can also cause hypoglycemia. Those who have diabetes should be sure to eat enough at mealtimes and for snack, especially if insulin has just been taken.

Skipping meals, drinking alcohol and/or changes in exercise habits can also bring about hypoglycemia if a person has diabetes type 2.

Some of the many symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

  • double vision
  • headaches
  • nervousness
  • rapid heartbeat
  • shaking
  • sweating
  • fatigue

However, there is also the danger of a person not feeling any of the above mentioned symptoms before more serious symptoms set in. Some of the most serious symptoms of hypoglycemia include fainting and seizures.

Blood Sugar Goals

Knowing how low is low blood sugar is not enough. A person needs to take action to ensure that his or her blood sugar levels remain stable. Generally speaking, a healthy person’s blood sugar levels should remain between 80 mg/dL and 160 mg/dL. While many diabetics have a higher range that what has been mentioned here, it is not impossible for a person with diabetes type 2 to attain to this healthy blood sugar level. However, those who have diabetes will want to consult a doctor, as one’s ideal blood sugar level range does vary from person to person.

An Introduction to Hemoglobin A1C Tests

Hemoglobin A1C tests can help to determine just how low is low blood sugar. These tests can be found in many doctor offices, but there are also home kits that can be used by a diabetic without professional medical help. The hemoglobin A1C home test should be used before mealtimes, after mealtimes and before going to bed. It will help one get a good idea of what his or her average blood sugar level is at various times of the day.

Ideally, a diabetic should strive for a blood sugar level of 80 mg/dL to 160 mg/dL. However, this goal may not be realistic for everyone, which is why consulting a doctor and using a Hemoglobin A1C home test kit is important. Knowing about blood sugar ranges, especially the low range will help keep you in good health.

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