About Blood-Sugar Level

According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), blood-sugar level refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood of a human or animal. Throughout the day, and depending on what you eat, your blood-sugar level will fluctuate. Blood-sugar levels are usually lowest in the morning and rise after meals.

Normal Level

• The American Diabetes Association (ADA) defines the normal blood-sugar level before a meal to be between 70 and 100 and after a meal to be less than 140. These numbers are calculated by measuring the concentration of glucose in the blood stream.

Regulation

• The concentration of glucose is controlled by hormones in the body. The NDIC explains that there are two types of metabolic hormones that affect blood-sugar levels: catabolic hormones that increase blood glucose and anabolic hormones (insulin) that decrease blood glucose.

Blood-Sugar Tests

• According to the NDIC, two different tests can be performed to test the blood-sugar level. The A1C test is performed by a doctor and reflects the average blood-glucose level over the past three months. The self-monitoring of blood glucose test is performed by the individual using a meter to measures the blood-glucose level at that moment in time.

Health Effects

• Certain health conditions can form if blood-sugar levels drop too low or remain too high. According to the ADA, this can result in symptoms that include shakiness, dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, dry-mouth and potential loss of consciousness or seizures.

Diabetes

• According to the ADA, diabetes is the most common condition to be associated with blood-sugar levels. The disease results when blood-sugar levels are higher than normal and the body does not produce enough insulin or make proper use of insulin. This results in the daily checking of blood-sugar levels to prevent serious, negative symptoms from occurring.