Blood Glucose

Summary

Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat, and is your body’s main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all of your body’s cells to use for energy.

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems. Even if you don’t have diabetes, sometimes you may have problems with blood sugar that is too low or too high. Keeping a regular schedule of eating, activity, and taking any medicines you need can help.

If you do have diabetes, it is very important to keep your blood sugar numbers in your target range. You may need to check your blood sugar several times each day. Your health care provider will also do a blood test called an A1C. It checks your average blood sugar level over the past three months. If your blood sugar is too high, you may need to take medicines and/or follow a special diet.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Living With

• A1C and eAG American Diabetes Association
• Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Food and Drug Administration
• Blood Glucose Testing and Management American Diabetes Association
• Monitoring Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
• Monitoring blood glucose – Series — Monitoring blood glucose: Using a self-test meter Medical Encyclopedia
• Understanding A1C American Diabetes Association

Patient Handouts

• A1C test Medical Encyclopedia
• Blood sugar test Medical Encyclopedia
• Estimated average glucose (eAG) Medical Encyclopedia
• Glucose screening and tolerance tests during pregnancy Medical Encyclopedia
• Glycemic index and diabetes Medical Encyclopedia
• Home blood sugar testing Medical Encyclopedia
• Managing your blood sugar Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• A1C: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• At-Home Medical Tests National Library of Medicine
• Blood Glucose Test National Library of Medicine
• Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Fasting for a Blood Test National Library of Medicine

Find an Expert

• American Diabetes Association American Diabetes Association
• Find a Diabetes Educator Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• NIDDK Information Clearinghouses and Health Information Center National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Teenagers

• Blood Glucose Record (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Keeping Track of Your Child’s Blood Sugar Nemours Foundation

Start Here

• Blood Sugar Testing: Why, When and How Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Diabetes Management: How Lifestyle, Daily Routine Affect Blood Sugar Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Monitoring Your Blood Sugar Level American Academy of Family Physicians

Children

• Blood Test: Glucose Nemours Foundation
• Managing Blood Sugars When You Have Type 1 Diabetes (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Blood Glucose National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Diabetes and Exercise: When to Monitor Your Blood Sugar Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes Food and Drug Administration

Genetics

• Donohue syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Maturity-onset diabetes of the young: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Type A insulin resistance syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Encyclopedia

• Glucose urine test Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Blood Glucose

Related Issues

• What Is the Difference between Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia? American Foundation for the Blind

Women

• Your Glucose Meter Food and Drug Administration