|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

Level That Blood Glucose Damage Starts

Diabetes complications, caused by elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels, can damage the circulatory system as well as internal organs. Researchers continue to try to pinpoint the exact range after which blood glucose damage starts.

  1. Fact

    • Historically, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), has made changes to their criteria for diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosis on the basis of observed diabetes complications in people whose fasting glucose levels were considered normal.

    Research studies

    • A study, conducted by Gregory A. Nichols and colleagues, indicates that damage from elevated glucose levels occurs in the upper range of what is considered "normal" on the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. Currently, the "normal" upper limit for the FPG test is 99 mg/dl.

    Tight glucose control

    • Tight glucose control is an ADA-recommended way to prevent and/or delay the onset of diabetes complications. It involves keeping blood glucose levels before eating between 70 mg/dl and 130 mg/dl. Two hours after meals, these levels should rise no higher than 180mg/dl. The ADA also recommends A1C blood test results below 7 percent.

    ADA recommendations

    • As additional data becomes available, the ADA may revise their criteria for diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosis, and/or recommended blood glucose levels to avoid complications.

    Considerations

    • According to the ADA, and other researchers, there is a positive correlation between FPG test results and diabetes risk. The higher the person's FGP test result, the higher their risk of diabetes and subsequent complications from high blood glucose levels.

Diabetes - Related Articles