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Glucose Tolerence Test (GTT)
Blood Sugar level is checked few times after a glucose containing drink.
*Normal - less than 140mg/dl
*Prediabetes- 140mg/dL-199mg/dL
*Diabetes -above 200mg/dL(confirm by retesting )

Glycosylated Heamoglobin Leve (HbA1C Test)

*Normal 4-6%
*Diabetic Control- less than 7%
*In Pregnancy- less than 6%


The End

NORMAL VALUES;-

These are in keeping with latest International Guidelines(2003)
Fasting Blood Sugar;-
This is testing blood sugar level after at least an 8 hour fast.
Normal- upto 100mg/dl
Prediabetes- 100-125mg/dl
Diabetes- above 126mg/dl (confirm by retesting)

Random Blood Sugar;-
Normal - up to 100mg/dl
Prediabetes - 100-200mg/dl
Diabetes- above 200 mg/dl (confirm by retesting)

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ACUTELY UNWELL ???

* Keep taking your insulin or tablets. If the sickness is prolonged your insulin or tablet doses may have
to be changed.Hence consult your doctor.
* Drink water regularly.
* If you can't take food,try taking fruit juice or some drink containing ,etc.
* You need medical attention if you feel sleepier than usual, unable to think clearly, have diarrhoea or
persistant vomiting.
* Try to monitor your blood sugar regularly if you have Glucometer at home. During acute illnesses,
the diabetic control could be more difficult and hence closer monitoring is needed.
* Keep your own record book as follows

Date Fasting Glucose Level Comments*

* comments- Indicate results like Glycosylated Heamoglobin level, kidney functions, other test results like cholesterol etc or hypo attacks and changes to medications.

ARE THERE ANY PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY ???

If diabetes is not controlled during pregnancy your baby can have increased risk of congenital
abmormalities or baby can get too big causing major problems with delivery.

Hence strict blood sugar control is vital during pregnancy.

The pregnancy has to be well planned in advance and discussed with your doctor before the
conception. In general all diabetic tablets need stopping and a good control should be achieved with
diet and insulin.

If you get to know that you are pregnant while on tablets, make an early appointment to see your doctor.

Some women who are not known diabetics could show evidence of mild diabetes for the first time
during pregnancy ( gestational diabetes ) which resolves after delivery. They too need strict
monitoring during pregnancy.They may develop true diabetes later in life.

WHAT TO DO IF I GET "HYPO" SYMPTOMS

As it is due to low sugar, when you get these symptoms you should take something containing sugar-
either glucose,sweets,sugar drink immediately and later eat a carbohydrate like bread or sandwich etc.
It is recommended that diabetics who tend to get these attacks carry a sweet with them regularly.

If this happens on a regular basis you may need to speak to your doctor to alter the doses of medications. Also if these happens when you are driving, please stop driving till your symptoms improve with above measures.

WHAT IS A 'HYPO' ATTACK???

For our body & brain functioning we need a certain amount of sugar in blood.If our
blood sugar drops below the normal level you could get many symptoms and could even lead to loss of consciousness. Hence all diabetic patients should be aware of these warning symptoms.
These hypo attacks could be due to excess of insulin ortablets, too little food or taking
food later than normal,unusual alcohol intake or due to unusual exercise.
Common warning signs of hypos are ;-
* Sweating or feeling 'hot'
*Trembling
*Weakness/tiredness
*Faintish feelings
*Hunger
*Anger
*Blurred or double vision
*Palpitations( feeling of heart beating)
*Tingling around the lips and toungue.
*At night, may wake with nightmares bathed in sweat.
If you ignore these you may end up being unconscious or even having brain damage
if prolonged.