What Is Blood Glucose Level?

Blood glucose level is the amount of sugar that is in your blood stream. It is measured by millimeters per deciliter (ml/dL) or by the percentage of sugar in the blood. Normal blood glucose levels are 80 to 120 mg/dL, or four to six percent. A person is diabetic if his blood sugar levels are 126 mg/dL or more after a fasting sugar test.

The Process

• Your body breaks food down into sugar. The sugar is called glucose. The glucose needs to move into your body cells to provide you with energy.

The Results

• Insulin is a hormone that moves the glucose into your body's cells. If the insulin does not move the glucose into the cells, the result is high glucose levels in the blood.

Types

• Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin to move the glucose into the cells. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin does not work properly.

Significance

• High blood glucose levels can cause cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness and extensive nerve damage that may lead to amputation.

Prevention/Solution

• To regulate glucose levels, diabetics must eat well-balanced meals, monitor their glucose levels to adjust food or medication, and exercise.