Glycemia: what is the normal value? – GOOD SHAPE

Glycemia is the index that measures blood sugar.

Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main type of sugar in the body. It comes from carbohydrates found in food. Glucose is essential for providing energy to cells throughout the body.

The blood sugar level fluctuates throughout the day as we eat, exercise, or sleep. Stress and hormones also play a role and can trigger changes. People with diabetes should monitor blood sugar levels closely to ensure they remain within the appropriate target range, which is usually determined by a doctor.

Problems with having high or low blood glucose

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause confusion, anxiety, weakness, sweating, and vision problems. Extremely low blood sugar levels can result in seizures and fainting.

It is worth mentioning that, when speaking of glycemic index, we refer to a food, “the impact that this food has on the bloodstream, so this refers to the glycemic index or even a glycemic load of the food. In this case, making it clear that they are blood glucose levels,” he explains. Nathália Guimarãesnutritionist of the Nutrindo Ideals team (@NutrindoIdeais) and specialist in integrative and functional clinical nutrition.

Normal blood sugar levels

Normal blood sugar levels vary depending on age, lifestyle factors and health conditions.

“It is also worth mentioning that, although there are established levels, each health professional determines the ideal levels for their patient”, says the nutritionist.

When measuring blood glucose, it is considered normal when it presents the following values, according to information from ABESO (Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome):

Fasting blood glucose: between 70 to 99 mg/dL
Postprandial blood glucose: up to 140 mg/dL

Postprandial blood glucose is the one measured after meals, usually with an interval of two hours (120 minutes). Fasting is the value collected after 8 hours or more without eating. The changed values ​​are:

Fasting blood glucose:

100 to 125 mg/dL = Glucose intolerance
Above 126 mg/dL = Diabetes

Postprandial blood glucose (120 min):

140 to 199 mg/dL = Glucose intolerance
Above 200 mg/dL = Diabetes

In addition, fasting blood glucose values ​​below 70 mg/dL already represent hypoglycemia.

If your blood sugar levels are consistently too high or too low, your body will send you some signals. The common ones of this imbalance are:

Symptoms of high blood sugar include:

increased thirst
frequent urination
Fatigue
Blurry vision
Slow healing wounds
Weight loss
frequent infections

Symptoms of low blood sugar are:

Hunger
trembling
Sweating
fast heartbeat
Headache
Dizziness
Confusion and difficulty concentrating

When to Talk to a Doctor About Blood Sugar

Diabetes is a serious condition and it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may order tests to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes and provide treatment recommendations. They may also suggest lifestyle changes to help keep your blood sugar within the recommended target range.

Taking steps to monitor and control your blood sugar levels is critical to maintaining good health and avoiding the long-term complications of diabetes.