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Ask Our Expert on Healthy Aging
Q: Are most people aware of their blood sugar level?Ask Our Expert About Blood Sugar and Testing
About Our ExpertRichard Baylor, M.D., is a family medicine physician with Heritage Family Practice at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Practicing Medicine Since 1988 Education B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Chemistry, 1981, Bloomsburg State College M.D., 1985, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Residency in Family Practice Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown (Chief Resident 1988) Board Certification Board certified in Family Medicine
Q: Are most people aware of their blood sugar level?A: No. According to a survey by the American Diabetes Association, seven out of 10 Americans do not know their blood glucose level. And while 18 million people have diabetes, nearly one-third of them don’t realize it because they’ve never been screened. Q: How does knowing my blood sugar number benefit me?A: Catching pre-diabetes early on will save you a lot of health problems and costs down the road. Most people with pre-diabetes are unaware they have it because there are no symptoms. If you are diagnosed with this condition, you can correct it through diet and exercise and prevent or delay diabetes and its many complications. But the only way to know is to get tested. Q: How are blood sugar levels checked?A: There are two tests your doctor can perform to measure your blood glucose level: the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The FPG test is the most common, but either one will reveal whether you are metabolizing blood glucose correctly. When you get a FPG check, your blood glucose level is tested after an 8- to 12-hour fast. A “normal” level for this test is below 100 mg/dl. A level of 100-125 mg/dl is termed pre-diabetes, and a level of 126 mg/dl or higher on two separate occasions indicates diabetes. When you have an OGTT check, your blood glucose level is measured two hours after drinking a glucose-concentrated beverage. A “normal” level for this test is below 140 mg/dl. A level of 140-199 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes, and a level of 200 mg/dl or above means diabetes. Q: What do the test results mean for me?A: If your blood glucose level is above normal but not in the diabetic range after a FPG test, you have a condition that is medically referred to as “impaired fasting glucose” (IFG); if your level is higher than normal following the OGTT, you are said to have “impaired glucose tolerance” (IGT). Both names refer to the same condition (higher-than-normal blood glucose). The only difference is in the test used to detect it. Q: Are impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and pre-diabetes the same condition?A: Yes. Several years ago, the American Diabetes Association officially lowered the cutoff point for what is considered a normal blood glucose level. They then adopted the simple name “pre-diabetes” to replace impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. Q: Why the name change?A: Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always develop pre-diabetes. The name change conveys that this is a serious condition that generally progresses to diabetes. The good news is that you can have an impact on this condition by getting educated and taking control of your health. Research shows that when people take control of an illness, they have a better outcome. Q: When does insurance cover testing?A: It varies, but most insurance plans cover screening for people with diabetes risk factors (see below). If you are at risk for diabetes then you are also at risk for pre-diabetes, so talk to your doctor about getting tested. Q: What if I am not covered?A: From a personal perspective of having control of your health, it’s worth getting tested periodically and paying for it. (A blood glucose test costs approximately $50.) Q: What are the risk factors for diabetes and pre-diabetes?A: You are at risk if you:
This page last updated 10/14/08 10:52 PM
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