Blood Sugar Level
Blood Sugar Level
The Blood Sugar Level (pronunciation: /blʌd ˈʃʊɡər ˈlɛvəl/), also known as Blood Glucose Level, is a measure of the concentration of glucose present in the blood. The term is derived from the words "blood" (from Old English blōd), "sugar" (from Sanskrit śarkarā), and "level" (from Old French nivel).
Definition
The Blood Sugar Level is the amount of glucose (a type of sugar) that is found in the blood. Glucose is a primary source of energy for the body's cells. The body regulates blood glucose levels to ensure that cells receive a steady supply of energy.
Measurement
The measurement of Blood Sugar Level is usually done in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The normal range for blood glucose levels in humans is typically between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) when fasting and up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) two hours after eating.
Related Terms
- Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
- Insulin: A hormone produced in the pancreas which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.
- Diabetes: A disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
- Hypoglycemia: A condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar.
- Hyperglycemia: A condition characterized by an excessively high level of blood sugar.
See Also
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