III.3. The glucose metabolism

The Glu metabolism is regulated by the hormonal and nervous systems. Certain changes in the regulation may lead to the development of various diseases.

The fasting blood Glu levels are:

Fasting            mmol/l

normal             <6.1    

pre-diabetes      6.1-7   

diabetes            >7       

The ranges measured with the oral Glu tolerance test (OGTT) (after the subject drinks 75 g of Glu blood is drawn from a vein, and the blood sugar level is checked):

Fasting            mmol/l

normal             <7.8

pre-diabetes      7.8-11.1

diabetes           >11.1

Impaired, prediabetic values (impaired Glu tolerance) mean that the subject needs more strict control, because there is a risk of the development of diabetes (e.g. induced by stress or pregnancy). 

Glu is a very important energy source. The human body is more sensitive to blood Glu levels under the normal values. A blood Glu level under 3.8 mmol/l may be caused by fasting. Levels of ̴ 3.0 mmol/l are companied by symptoms such as dizziness, and those under 2.7 mmol/l lead to cognitive disturbances.