Biochemical parameters of blood are changeable and changeable. One of the main criteria for such an analysis is glucose. And quite often the question arises: "Sugar 5.5 - is it a lot or a little?" Worth looking into.
What is blood sugar?
Under blood sugar, all doctors and laboratory workers usually mean glucose.
This compound is quite important for the normal functioning of our body. Glucose is used by most of the cells in our body. The main tissues that utilize this substance are nervous and muscular.
Brain cells use it for most energy processes. Due to a sufficient amount of glucose, the work of the brain is accelerated, the mood improves.
Muscle tissue uses sugar as its main source of energy. Glucose refers to carbohydrates, the breakdown of which is an energetically beneficial process, so there is no better source of energy for muscles.
Normally, the minimum amount of glucose is 3.3 g/l. Decreasing thisquantity allows you to judge hypoglycemia (lack of sugar in the blood). Sugar 5.5 is the upper limit of the norm (according to the latest data, the norm has increased slightly - up to 6.2).
When it is in excess, sugar is deposited in the muscle and nerve tissues, which leads to the development of tissue lesions and systemic disorders.
Where does glucose come from? How does it appear in our body and what functions does it perform?
Glucose pathways
As mentioned above, glucose is a source of energy for many tissues and cells. Its formation can proceed both from amino acids and by biosynthesis from triglycerides (the simplest fat molecules).
The main source of glucose for the body is food. It is with it that most of the sugar used for metabolism comes in. Part of it is transported to cells and organs, and the rest is usually deposited in the liver in the form of glycogen, a complex carbohydrate compound.
Blood glucose is controlled by two hormones - insulin and glucagon.
Insulin helps to reduce the amount of sugar in the blood and its greater deposition in the liver. The hyperactivity of insulin and its increased amount can be judged (indirectly) if, after eating, the patient begins to feel hungry rather soon. The desire to snack usually means that blood sugar has dropped and should be restored.
Glucagon, on the contrary, stimulates the breakdown of glycogen and increases the concentration of sugar in plasma.
Disturbance in the work of these hormones usually leads to the developmentmetabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypo- and hyperglycemic coma).
Why can its amount increase and what consequences await the body as a result of such an increase?
Increase in blood glucose
It is generally accepted that sugar 5.5 is the upper limit of the norm. Why might it increase?
The following conditions can lead to high blood sugar levels:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Pregnancy.
- Liver disease.
- Significant blood loss (relative increase in blood sugar due to decreased blood volume).
- Tumors of the pancreas.
Each of these conditions passes with its own specific clinical picture and the causes of each of them are different. Sugar, 5.5 g / l of which was a normal indicator for this person, gradually begins to grow. With its growth, various changes in the human body are observed.
The main goal of the doctor is to timely detect such an increase in blood glucose levels, determine the cause of such an increase and prescribe the appropriate treatment. For example, a blood test showed that sugar is 5.5. What can this concentration in the blood indicate?
It is necessary to analyze the main conditions that a doctor may encounter.
Diabetes
As a result of the development of diabetes, there is a significant increase in the concentration of sugar in the blood (diagnosis is made when sugar is detected above 11.1 g/l).
In pathogenesisdisease lies absolute (type 1 diabetes) or relative (type 2 diabetes) insulin resistance.
In the first case, this means that there is no insulin in the blood (the main reason is pancreatitis). Glucose cannot be utilized normally, it is deposited in tissues and organs and the corresponding complications develop (nephropathy, retinopathy, diabetic foot).
In the second case, there is insulin in the blood, but for some reason it cannot react with the available glucose.
In such patients, blood sugar is constantly elevated, and they are forced to be on constant treatment with either hypoglycemic drugs or insulin.
Sugar 5, 5 in diabetes is the dream of almost every patient. The determination of such numbers in the patient's blood indicates a favorable course of diabetes and the effectiveness of the treatment used.
This disease is pandemic and occurs in representatives of various races. The problem of its treatment and study is being de alt with by specialists in many speci alties, since diabetes affects all organ systems.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can often lead to the development of various conditions and diseases. This is due to both a physiological decrease in immunity (for the development of the fetus) and a change in many metabolic reactions.
Sugar 5, 5 during pregnancy is usually normal. Some endocrinologists may regard it as somewhat reduced (since the development of a small organism is proceeding, and the mother has to share glucose with him as well).
In some cases, the development of diabetes in pregnant women (gestational diabetes) is judged. It occurs when, during pregnancy, the development of a disease occurs, which disappear after childbirth. Sugar 5, 5 during pregnancy in the case of gestational diabetes is detected on an empty stomach, with the morning determination of a blood test. After eating, its amount can increase to 10 and 11, but with the use of adequate sugar-regulating therapy, its level decreases again.
Usually, the condition itself stabilizes immediately after childbirth or in the early postpartum period. Within about a week, glucose levels return to normal.
If pre-existing diabetes is classified as secondary, requiring the use of sugar-lowering drugs or additional doses of insulin.
Before planning pregnancy, you should consult with a therapist and gynecologist, as in some cases diabetes is an absolute contraindication to conception. The danger can be both for the developing fetus and directly for the mother.
The treatment of such patients should also be agreed with the gynecologist and therapist to determine the risk of drug effects on the fetus.
What is the danger of an increase in blood sugar concentration
As mentioned above, normal sugar is 5.5. A sign of diabetes is an increase above 11, or the appearance of the following symptoms.
First of all, an increase in blood sugar leads todevelopment of microangiopathy. This condition is characterized by a decrease in blood circulation in small vessels, tissue malnutrition, the development of their atrophy and the accumulation of metabolic products in the tissues, which leads to their destruction. In place of the vessels appear small ulcerations, foci of maceration. Most often, the small vessels of the feet are affected.
The deposition of sugar in the vessels of the eyes contributes to the development of retinopathy. At the same time, vision deteriorates significantly up to complete blindness. In some cases, glaucoma and cataracts may develop.
If there is a significant deposition of sugar in the tubules of the kidneys, then diabetic nephropathy may occur. The function of the kidneys is impaired, which leads to the development of their insufficiency. With the progression of diabetes, their complete “shutdown” is possible.
The most common complication of high blood sugar is coma. With it, the blood flow through the vessels of the brain worsens, because of which the patient loses consciousness. The development of coma may be accompanied by the smell of acetone from the mouth, tachycardia and shortness of breath (they usually appear in the stage of coma precursors). All the patient's reflexes are disturbed, the pupil reacts weakly to light.
All these complications over time can lead to severe dysfunction of other organs.
Danger of developing diabetes in children
Sugar 5.5 in the blood is normal for the child's body. It is accepted that a single increase in glucose is not regarded as pathological, since many children like sweets. If as a resultof an infectious disease in a child, there is a picture of hyperglycemia in the blood, then the development of type 1 diabetes should be suspected.
Sugar 5, 5 in the blood of children with type 1 diabetes is quite rare. The minimum figures for this pathology are 20-30 g / l.
The disease is dangerous because it develops at lightning speed, but such a course is usually preceded by a prodromal period during which there is a violation of digestion, a change in feces. Be sure to have a recent infection.
The danger of diabetes in children lies in its course, a sharp deterioration in the condition and impaired development. In severe cases, especially with the development of a coma, a fatal outcome is possible.
Therapy is carried out under the supervision of an endocrinologist and is accompanied by mandatory testing. Such an indicator as a sugar of 5.5 in the blood of a child indicates the correct selection of drugs and a positive response to the therapy.
Gender differences
Is there any difference between the concentration of blood sugar in men and women?
All doctors say that blood sugar of 5.5 in women, as well as in men, is an indicator of the norm. However, this standard has been studied and developed by the World He alth Organization. During its identification, one rather important factor was not taken into account - physical labor. Men are much more likely to be employed in jobs that require physical effort. To perform such an activity, their musclesquite a lot of energy is needed.
As mentioned, glucose is an excellent energy substrate. That is why blood sugar 5.5 in men can be regarded as normal, but not the maximum indicator. And that is why, and also as a result of the use of some other reagents, there is currently an increase in the maximum normal blood sugar to 6.2.
Impaired sugar tolerance
In modern endocrinology there is the concept of “impaired glucose tolerance”. It is applicable in the case when several blood tests reveal such a sugar content, the level of which will be higher than the accepted normal values, and less than necessary for setting up diabetes.
How is this research done?
In the morning, on an empty stomach, the patient's sugar level is measured. After that, the patient drinks sugar syrup (75 g of sugar or glucose per 100 ml of water). Thereafter, glucose levels are measured every half an hour.
For example, as a result of the test, it was revealed that two hours after the glucose load, sugar is 5.5. What does this indicator mean?
Achieving this level of sugar indicates that the pancreas has produced enough insulin to break down the incoming sugar, i.e. the glucose tolerance test did not reveal abnormalities.
If there was a sharp increase in glucose concentration (for example, after half an hour its level was 7, and after two hours - 10.5), then we can judgeimpaired glucose tolerance, which can be regarded as a prerequisite for diabetes.
Tolerance is treated with the same drugs as diabetes (with the exception of insulin, which is prescribed under strict indications).
What to do with high sugar?
Usually, patients feel if there is an increase in the level of sugar in their blood plasma. This is manifested by increased thirst, dry skin, frequent trips to the toilet.
When a similar clinical picture appears, first of all, you should consult a doctor for a more detailed examination.
For example, at the time of treatment (provided that the patient applied hungry, on an empty stomach), after passing the tests, sugar 5.5 was determined. This is a lot, in the morning there should be a reduced level of glucose. You can already suspect some problems with the pancreas and its absorption of sugar.
If, in repeated tests, glucose was within the normal range, and its level did not exceed the maximum norm figures, then you should not worry - there is no diabetes.
In the case when increased sugar was detected in repeated analyzes, then you can already think about a more difficult process.
Here, anamnesis will play an important role - the patient's age, his genetics, the presence of infectious diseases.
If a patient is under 40 years old, his heredity is not burdened, but some disease has recently occurred, then we can judge the development of juvenile diabetes mellitus. If the age exceeds 40, there are chronic diseasesother systems and organs, and the patient's parents had diabetes, then, most likely, the patient developed type 2 diabetes.
In any of the above cases, it is necessary to prescribe sugar-regulating maintenance therapy. With properly selected dosages, as well as dietary compliance, patients often experience positive results in treatment.
