Diabetes Awareness Week 2008 - Coming Soon
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07 July 2008
Low GI diet reduces cancer risk
 
A new Italian study says a low Glycemic Index diet may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
 
02 July 2008
Medicare item looks to prevention
 
The Federal Government has introduced a new Medicare item aimed at identifying people at high risk of type 2 diabetes and stopping the disease before it is diagnosed.
 
03 July 2008
Diabetes link for men whose sisters have PCOS
 
Men whose sisters have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
 
26 June 2008
People with type 1 satisfied with newer insulins
 
People with type 1 diabetes who take the newer insulin analogues report greater satisfaction and better quality of life.
 

What your BGL test number means

Your BGL (Blood Glucose Level)

• How do you find out?
• What do the numbers mean?

The only way to know your BGL (blood glucose level) is through a blood test. The sample can be taken by a GP or at a pathology laboratory.

You may be asked to fast for the test or it could be taken without fasting (random). The diagnosis of diabetes, or pre-diabetes (which is also know as Impaired Fasting Glucose - IFG or Impaired Glucose Tolerance – IGT must always be made on a laboratory test. The laboratory test is based on a blood sample taken from the vein (venous plasma sample). A finger prick test is not adequate for the diagnosis of these conditions.

Did your blood glucose test require fasting?

Fasting results:

• If your BGL reading was less than 5.5 Diabetes is unlikely. It is recommended that you retest your BGL in three years.

• If your BGL was between 5.5 - 6.9 The results require further investigation. An Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGTT)* should be taken.

The OGTT could show a) diabetes is unlikely b) definite diabetes or c) a condition called pre-diabetes (also known as Impaired Fasting Glucose - IFG or Impaired Glucose Tolerance – IGT. Both IFG and IGT are risk factors for diabetes so the OGTT should be repeated in one year. *This test requires fasting, then a special glucose drink and a blood test taken two hours after.

• If your BGL was over 7.0 Another fasting test is required. If these results show a BGL of 7.0 and over then you have diabetes. If these results show a BGL of less than 7.0 an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)* should be taken. *This test requires fasting, then a special glucose drink and a blood test taken two hours after.

Or was your blood glucose test random and without fasting? Random results:

• If your BGL was less than 5.5 Diabetes is unlikely. It is recommended that you retest your BGL in three years.

• If your BGL was between 5.5 – 11.0 An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)* is required. The OGTT could show a) diabetes is unlikely b) definite diabetes or c) conditions called Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Both IFG and IGT are risk factors for diabetes so the OGTT should be repeated in one year.

• If your BGL was 11.0 and over A fasting test is required. If these results show a BGL of 7.0 and over then you have diabetes.

If these results show a BGL of less than 7.0 an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)* should be taken.

*This test requires fasting, then a special glucose drink and a blood test taken two hours after. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of diabetes, or pre-diabetes.

If you have further queries regarding your results, please contact one of our diabetes educators on 1300 136 588.

You can ascertain whether you are at risk of diabetes by answering the risk assessment questions:

• I am of Chinese, Indian or Pacific Islander heritage and over 35
• I have a high blood pressure
• I have heart disease
• I have a family history of diabetes
• I am overweight
• I have had diabetes in pregnancy
• I am over 55
• I am Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and over 35
• I have polycystic ovary syndrome If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, consult your GP.

 

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