For clinical evaluation purposes, there are two ways of measuring glycemia:
- Fasting glycemia: measured in a blood sample taken after 8 hours of complete fasting;
- Blood glucose tolerance test (OGTT): measured in several blood samples taken at intervals following a given glucose load (oral intake or endovenous injection).
In certain conditions, it is recommended that blood glucose monitoring be performed regularly, usually by the patient himself, who is trained to do a digital venipuncture and use a small portable glucometer device to evaluate glycemia levels instantly.
Glycemia fluctuates physiologically within a narrow range. Excessively low levels (e.g. a fasting glycemia of 70 mg/dl or below) are classed as hypoglycemia. These may result from poor diet, or as a side effect of diabetes medication. Excessively high levels (e.g., 250 mg/dl or more) are classed as hyperglycemia and are a particular threat to diabetes sufferers.
- 70-100 mg/dl: Normal
- 101-125 mg/dl: Impaired fasting glucose
- 126 mg/dl and above: Risk of diabetes
Further Reading
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