The Need for Glucose

• Glucose is the body's fuel. It is derived from carbohydrates in the foods we eat and gives the body energy. Having too much glucose or too little glucose in your blood can cause severe health problems. In the case of blood glucose, your body has a range in which it best operates and you need to do what you can to keep it in that range.
  
  

Hypoglycemia

• Hypoglycemia is the condition where you have too little blood glucose. Hypoglycemia will manifest itself by causing confusion, vision problems, hunger and sometimes seizures.
  
  

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a group of diseases that are all caused by too much blood sugar. Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, vision problems, slow-healing sores and frequent infections.
  
  

Testing for Hypoglycemia

• Your doctor will use Whipple's Triad to test for hypoglycemia. The test looks at three areas. 1. Signs and Symptoms--Your doctor will look for signs of hypoglycemia after you have fasted. 2. Blood Work--Your doctor will test your blood glucose levels after a fast. 3. Disappearance of Symptoms--Your doctor will check to see if the symptoms disappear when your blood glucose level is increased.
  
  

Testing for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

• In June 2009, an international group of experts made recommendations for the types of tests for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Gylcated Hemoglobin Test--This looks at your average blood sugar for the previous two to three months by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to your hemoglobin. A score of 6.5 percent or more on two different tests indicates diabetes. In certain circumstances, a doctor may instead rely on a random blood sugar test and fasting blood sugar test to make a determination of diabetes.
  
  

Testing for Gestational Diabetes

• Fetuses are routinely screened for gestational diabetes. Doctors will perform a glucose challenge test between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. The test involves the mother drinking a glucose solution. One hour later, blood sugar level is tested. If it is above 140 mg/dL, it indicates gestational diabetes.