Blood Sugar

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal as the body has problems
converting food to energy. Our cells use insulin to help convert blood glucose into energy but some
people develop diabetes because the pancreas does not make enough insulin or because the cells do
not use insulin properly or both. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells
are starved of energy.

High blood sugar and diabetes can be easily detected and controlled. The blood test that we performed
was a ‘random’ test as you had not fasted beforehand and therefore cannot be used to diagnose
diabetes. For this reason, if your blood sugar was elevated, you should visit your doctor for a fasting
blood sugar assessment which can be used to diagnose diabetes.

The following table identifies normal blood sugar levels.

Classification Blood Sugar (mmol/L)
Normal <6.0
Elevated >6.0

You may notice that the ‘acceptable’ blood sugar level has been reduced since 2007 – this is to reflect
the new guidelines being offered by diabetes experts. It is now believed that anyone recording over
6.0mmol/L on a random or fasting blood sugar test should be referred to their GP for further
assessment. People with undiagnosed diabetes are at significantly increased risk for coronary heart
disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, hypertension, and obesity. Thus, early
detection and treatment might well reduce the risk of people developing life-threatening complications.


EIHA Average Blood Sugar 2008 = 5.1mmol/L


In addition to a blood sugar assessment, the following is a list of recognised diabetes risk factors – the
more of these you answer ‘Yes’ to, the higher your risk of developing diabetes.
• I am over 45 years old
• I am overweight or obese
• I have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• I am of African, Indian, Asian or Hispanic/Latino descent
• I have had gestational diabetes or give birth to a baby over 9lb
• I have blood pressure of over 140/90mmHg
• I have elevated cholesterol levels
• I am inactive and exercise less that 3 times per week
• I have noticed I am urinating more often
• I have noticed I am thirsty more often
• I have experienced unexplained weight loss









BlueSkies Health, Fitness & Well-Being
info@blueskiesfitness.co.uk www.blueskiesfitness.co.uk
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