|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

What Is Glucose Level?

Glucose level is the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. When you eat, the food breaks down into sugar called glucose. The glucose moves into blood cells to give your body energy. If your body is not working properly, too much sugar or glucose stays in the bloodstream. The result is high glucose levels.

  1. The Process

    • Carbohydrates break down into glucose. The glucose moves into the muscle cells with the help of insulin.

    Significance

    • If there isn't enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly, the glucose stays in the blood, causing high blood glucose levels.

    Types

    • Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly. The result is high blood glucose levels.

    Tests

    • A fasting test determines if you have high blood glucose levels. If your fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or more, you have diabetes.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Glucose levels are stabilized with diet, exercise and possible oral medication and/or insulin.

Diabetes - Related Articles