Normal blood sugar levels in women and men. Blood sugar levels in pathology

Blood sugar is necessary for our bodies to function properly. Both men and women need it. Its entry into brain neurons and red blood cells is important.Glucose is consumed in the body, bypassing the insulin pathway:

• Protects red blood cells and neurons from the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS);
• Maintains iron in red blood cells in the form required for metabolism;
• maintain energy exchange;
• ATP production by neurons;
• Synthesis of biologically active substances (neurotransmitters).

The transport of glucose to other cells is mediated by the pancreatic hormone insulin. Its deficiency in diabetes results in a lack of glucose in the cells and an excess of glucose in the blood.Adrenal glands and gonadal cells are involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones. For these purposes, they use glucose.The liver synthesizes fatty acids, cholesterol and activates vitamin D in the body. It performs all these functions through glycolysis.During starvation and muscle work, the process of glycogen synthesis is activated.

What is a normal blood sugar level?

Blood sugar is the level of sugar in the blood. The normal value of this indicator is guaranteed by the balance of the transport, use, formation and entry of glucose into the blood. The state of balance is maintained by hormones. These include:

• Lower blood sugar (insulin);
• Hyperglycemia (glucocorticoids, epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon).

The blood glucose standard range is 3. 3 to 5. 5 mmol/l; according to some sources, the reference limit is changed to 6. 6. The calculated value of venous blood is slightly higher than the capillary indicator.

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

The cause of this is an increase in the cell's demand for glucose, which results in a disruption of the ATP production process.Causes of these diseases include:

• Tumors that secrete too much insulin (insulinomas);
• Incorrect dosing of insulin to treat diabetes;
• Adrenal insufficiency due to a deficiency of high-glycemic hormones;
• disrupts the flow of sugar in the intestines;
• liver pathology;
• Genetic disorders that result in reduced glucose production;
• alcohol addiction;
• Lack of vitamin (biotin) involved in glucose metabolism;
• Central nervous system diseases.

Reduced glucose levels from the intestine may be related to absorptive pathology (e. g. enteritis) and nutritional starvation caused by deficiency of this element. This condition is called nutritional hypoglycemia.Hypoglycemia causes a nutritional deficiency in red blood cells and brain neurons and is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Pale skin;
• Shortness of breath and increased heart rate;
• hunger;
• sweating, chills;
• Dizziness;
• Passed out.

In this case, assistance must be provided immediately. Eating sweets or injecting medications can increase blood sugar levels. Lack of help can lead to coma and death.

What are the symptoms of high blood sugar?

Hyperglycemia is considered an increase in blood sugar above 5. 5 mmol/l. This process is due to reduced cellular needs and increased glucose production. Because:

• Insulin deficiency in diabetes, pancreatic necrosis;
• Acromegaly - growth hormone, thyrotoxicosis - iodothyronine, Itsenko-Cushing disease - overproduction of hormones in glucocorticoids;
• Renal failure and filtration dysfunction;
• Overeating and excessive sugar intake;
• exercise stress;
• pain;
• Stroke, brain tumor.

The most serious consequence of hyperglycemia is the development of hyperosmolar coma, which is caused by high levels of glucose in the blood, which attracts too much fluid into the blood vessels. This type of coma is typical for people with diabetes and kidney failure. Normally, healthy kidneys prevent blood sugar from rising above 9 mmol/L, which reduces reabsorption and triggers glycosuria. Moderate hyperglycemia triggers pathological protein glycosylation and sorbitol formation processes. This compound promotes the accumulation of fluid in tissues and disrupts cell function. Pathological glycosylation disrupts antibody function and leads to hypoxia. By changing the antigenic properties of proteins, it can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases.The main clinical symptoms associated with hyperglycemia are:

• visual impairment;
• Neurological disorders;
• development of renal failure;
• Nutritional disorders of the tissues of the lower limbs;
• Frequent urination;
• general weakness;
• intense thirst;
• Cuts and wounds regenerate slowly.

Most of these symptoms are characteristic of diabetes mellitus, a disease of endocrine etiology associated with impaired glucose absorption due to insulin deficiency.Factors predisposing to the development of this pathology include:

• genetic susceptibility;
• excess weight;
• Infect;
• Take induction drugs.

If you notice some of the clinical symptoms and risk factors listed, you should make an appointment with an endocrinologist.

Laboratory tests: Normal blood sugar levels in men and women

In the laboratory diagnosis of pathologies associated with impaired glucose metabolism, many methods and tests are used. These include:

• glucose tolerance test;
• Glycated hemoglobin;
• Determine fasting blood glucose levels;
• General urinalysis;
• Blood Chemistry.

If the diagnosis is unclear, perform tolerance testing. This test is not recommended if you have diagnosed diabetes. In this study, blood was collected on an empty stomach and then its levels were assessed after drinking a sugary solution. Based on the data obtained, a blood glucose curve is formed, the levels of which return to normal within 2-3 hours. Readings above 11 mmol/l indicate possible bias.Glycated hemoglobin is used to monitor hyperglycemic dynamics in diabetic patients, identify underlying forms and diagnose gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Normal values are up to 6% of total hemoglobin.The presence of sugar in a general urine test is directly affected by the concentration of glucose in the blood. Its reabsorption is usually 1. 7 mmol per minute. The level of blood sugar above which appears in the urine is called the renal threshold. Its value is 8. 8 – 9. 9 mmol/l. The presence of sugar in your urine may indicate diabetes, but it's not the only cause. Diabetes can occur in certain cases:

• For pregnant women with reduced reabsorption;
• Suffering from congenital or acquired abnormalities of the renal proximal tubules.

Normal levels are considered to be up to 0. 8 mmol/l.

What medications can affect test results?

Continuous use of the drug may skew the results upward or downward.Improve performance:

• Glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, budesonide, etc. );
• Medications to treat mental illness;
• Oral contraceptive pills prescribed for women;
• antihypertensive drugs;
• Syrup-based cough medicine.

Aspirin, aloe vera juice, and quinine can artificially lower blood sugar levels.These studies also affect female sex hormones, so testing before menstruation begins should be postponed until after menstruation has ended.Therefore, glucose has a huge impact on the performance of the entire body. To prevent disease, especially for people with a genetic predisposition to diabetes, it is necessary to measure the sugar concentration in the blood at least once a year, or as part of a physical examination.