5 Types of checking blood sugar and how to read test results

Check blood sugar is a test that is done to determine the level of glucose in the blood. There are several types of tests to check blood sugar, each result referring to the blood glucose level based on a certain time period.

In diabetics, blood sugar checks are performed to monitor whether blood sugar levels have been controlled or vice versa. However, checking blood sugar levels can also be done by anyone for diabetes testing or just knowing the condition of their blood sugar.

Types of tests to check blood sugar levels

Many people do not realize that they have high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. This is because symptoms of high blood sugar, such as frequent thirst and urination, blurred vision, and weakness do not always appear in everyone.

However, many also ignore these complaints and are not aware of diseases that can arise from high blood sugar conditions.

This is also what causes many people to find out about high blood sugar levels after being diagnosed with diabetes.

Well, this is where it is important to check your blood sugar regularly. Especially for those of you who have various factors that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. This method is also one of the main methods for checking diabetes.

The following are some tests to check blood sugar that are commonly done:

1. Temporary blood sugar test (GDS)

As the name suggests, an arbitrary blood sugar test can be done at any time, without the need to consider the time of your last meal. However, usually this blood sugar check is done if you already have diabetes symptoms, such as frequent urination or extreme thirst.

The results of the blood sugar test when it is below 200 mg / dL indicates normal sugar levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a blood sugar check reading of 200 mg / dL (11.1 mmol / L) or more means that your blood sugar is high and you have diabetes.

2. Fasting blood sugar test

Checking fasting blood sugar is done as a follow-up examination of the GDS test. The blood sample in this blood sugar check will be taken after you fast overnight (approximately 8 hours).

So far, the fasting blood sugar test is considered to be a fairly effective method of checking blood sugar. The following are categories of blood sugar levels according to the results of a fasting blood sugar check:

• Normal: less than 100 mg / dL (5.6 mmol / L).
• Prediabetes: between 100 and 125 mg / dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol / L).
• Diabetes: 126 mg / dL (7 mmol / L) or more.

Prediabetes is a condition when blood sugar exceeds normal limits, but it cannot be completely categorized as diabetes. However, if you do not immediately change certain lifestyle to lower blood sugar, you are at high risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

3. Postprandial Blood Glucose Test

The postprandial blood sugar test is done 2 hours after eating, after you have fasted beforehand. A break of 2 hours is needed because after eating glucose levels will rise and normally the hormone insulin will return blood sugar levels to normal limits.

To do this blood sugar check, you need to fast for 12 hours and then eat as usual, but try to eat 75 grams of carbohydrates. After eating normally, eat nothing else until it's time for the test. It is better to rest in breaks after meals and test times.

The following are categories of blood sugar levels from the examination postprandial blood glucose test:

• Normal: less than 140 mg / dL (7.8 mmol / L)
• Diabetes: 180 mg / dl or more

4.Oral glucose tolerance test (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, OGTT)

Oral glucose tolerance test is carried out after 2 hours from the time of consuming 75 grams of glucose liquid that will be given by health workers. Before doing an oral blood sugar check, you also need to fast for at least 8 hours.

However, there is also an oral blood sugar test procedure where the sample is taken 1 hour after drinking the glucose liquid and 2 hours later after drinking the liquid for the second time. This blood sugar test has better results than the fasting blood sugar test, but is usually more expensive.

The following categories of blood sugar levels from the oral blood sugar tolerance test:

• Normal: less than 140 mg / dL (7.8 mmol / L)
• Prediabetes: 140-199 mg / dl (7.8 to 11 mmol / L)
• Diabetes: 200 mg / dl or more

Oral blood sugar tolerance checks are generally used for diagnostic tests for gestational diabetes in pregnant women. For tests on pregnant women, blood samples need to be taken 2-3 hours apart. If 2 or more test results show blood sugar levels that are categorized as diabetes, it means you are positive for diabetes.

5. HbA1c test

The glycohemoglobin test or HbA1c test is a long-term measurement of blood sugar. This blood sugar test allows the doctor to find out what the average blood sugar value has been over the past several months.

This blood sugar test measures the percentage of blood sugar that is bound to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher the hemoglobin A1c, the higher the blood sugar level.

Here's how to read the HbA1c blood sugar test results:

• Diabetes: 6.5% or more and have been done more than once
• Prediabetes: 5,7-6,7%
• Normal: less than 5.7%

This test can also be used to monitor blood sugar regularly after you test positive for diabetes mellitus. HbA1c levels should be checked several times a year.

There are several conditions that make the HbA1c test result invalid for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. For example, if this test is done on pregnant women or on people with variations in hemoglobin.

C-peptide insulin test

In addition to checking blood sugar, diabetes diagnosis can be done through a C-peptide insulin test. The C-peptide test is a blood test that is done to find out how much insulin your body is producing.

This test is useful in determining whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The C-peptide insulin test is more often performed on people with type 1 diabetes to find out how well the beta cells in the pancreas are doing.

Before the test, you will be asked to fast for 12 hours. The C-peptide test requires you to take a sample of your blood. The results will be available in a few days.

Generally, normal results for C-peptide in the bloodstream are between 0.5-2.0 ng / mL (nanograms per milliliter). However, the results of the C-peptide insulin test may vary depending on the laboratory you are examining.

The results of the C-peptide test combined with the results of a blood sugar check can be classified into three ranges, namely:

1. Normal: 0.51-2.72 nanograms per milliliter (ng / mL) or 0.17-0.90 nanomoles per liter (nmol / L).
2. Low: Below-normal levels of C-peptide and high blood sugar checks can indicate type 1 diabetes. However, a C-peptide test result and an equally low blood sugar can indicate liver disease, severe infection or Addison's disease.
3. High: Above normal C-peptide levels and a high blood sugar test can be indicative of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or Cushing's syndrome. Meanwhile, high C-peptide levels and low blood glucose levels may be influenced by the effects of blood sugar-lowering drugs or indications of pancreatic tumors.

Can I check my own blood sugar at home?

In addition to doing tests at a clinic or hospital, you can also check your blood sugar independently at home by using a blood sugar check tool, namely a glucometer.

However, independent blood sugar tests should not be done haphazardly. You are advised to consult a doctor first before doing it. This independent blood sugar test is included in a temporary blood sugar test (GDS).

Well, blood sugar levels can change throughout the day, but if it's still within the normal GDS limits, you don't need to worry. Blood sugar tends to increase, for example, after eating or even lower levels after exercising.

In addition, it is also important to know that several conditions can also affect the results of your blood sugar test, such as:

• Take certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, estrogen (in birth control pills), diuretic drugs, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and aspirin
• Anemia or gout
• Severe stress
• Dehydration

The best time to check your blood sugar is usually in the morning, after and before meals, and at night before going to bed. However, this can vary for each person, especially diabetics who have certain health problems.

Checking blood sugar levels is indeed important. However, you still need to consult with your doctor about your health condition before doing this blood sugar test. That way, the doctor can analyze the test results further.

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