All Blood Tests

A pendulum blood sugar is also known as a swinging blood sugar because it moves between extremes much like a pendulum.

What is Blood Sugar?

Blood sugar is a way to measure the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose is where your body gets most of its energy. Your body uses the insulin hormone, which is produced by the pancreas, to process glucose. A body that doesn’t produce insulin cannot turn glucose into energy, which can cause serious physical and mental problems.

In order to live a happy, healthy life, you need to have a normal blood sugar. A person with a normal blood sugar has a blood sugar between 70 mg and 150 mg. Anything above or below this level is considered abnormal.

Abnormal blood sugar can result in anxiety, thirst, hunger, weight loss, exhaustion, blurred vision, confusion, skin problems, eye problems and, in the worst cases, a coma or death.

Why Does Blood Sugar Swing?

A person’s blood sugar naturally increases after they eat. This happens in people who have normal insulin and pancreas function. This normal fluctuation is not a “pendulum blood sugar.” A true pendulum blood sugar occurs when a person’s blood sugar swings from high to low several times throughout the day. This can cause all of the symptoms listed above because the pendulum hits both high and low blood sugar levels.

If you start experiencing symptoms associated with high and low blood sugars, you should go to the doctor. Your doctor will give you a blood test. Though a blood test can tell you what your current blood sugar is, it isn’t always effective at detecting a pendulum blood sugar. Since pendulum blood sugars swing, they may be perfectly normal when you go to the doctor. However, they may change as soon as you leave. If your doctor suspects that you have a pendulum blood sugar, he or she may give you test strips so you can test your own blood sugar every hour or so. These tests will help track the swings in your blood sugar.

If you end up having a pendulum blood sugar, your doctor will work with you to make sure your blood sugar stabilizes.

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a defect in the body’s ability to convert glucose to energy. It is caused due to insufficient production of glucose by the pancreas. In diabetes patients, the production of glucose is impaired.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Patients with Type-1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

* Increased thirst
* Fatigue
* Nausea
* Increased urination
* Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
* Vomiting

However, because Type-2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

* Increased thirst
* Impotence in men
* Increased appetite
* Increased urination
* Blurred vision
* Fatigue
* Slow-healing infections

How to diagnose diabetes?

The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a simple blood test measuring blood glucose level. Usually blood glucose level tests are repeated on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. Your health care team may also request that you have a glucose tolerance test. If two hours after taking the glucose drink your glucose level is 200 or above, you will be diagnosed as having diabetes.

How can I control diabetes?

* Gather all the information about diabetes, its symptoms and causes
* Check your blood glucose level regularly
* If find any symptom of diabetes, visit your health care team for diagnosis of diabetes
* Ask your health care team about how to check blood glucose level at home
* Stop smoking
* Exercise daily
* Follow a healthy meal plan
* Check your vision at regular intervals, If found blurred visit your health care team
* Check your feet regularly for checking the occurrence of diabetes
* If you are diabetic, monitor you diabetes regularly
* Follow instructions of health care team strictly
* Avoid sweet ingredients, use sugar free food

Can diabetes be cured?

As yet, there is no treatment for either type of diabetes, although there are many ways of keeping diabetes in control. Studies have shown that good control of blood glucose (blood sugar) is the key to avoid diabetic complications later.

What are the treatment options to cure diabetes?

Diabetes is incurable. The only option is to prevent ourselves from diabetes or to keep diabetes under control.

Is diabetes a hereditary disease?

You are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to have a risk of stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. There are three conditions that make people with diabetes vulnerable to foot problems. These are vascular disease and foot deformities. About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure. Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body.

Normal blood glucose levels vary very little from person to person. There is a set range within which your glucose levels should fall in, anything outside this and you could end up with some kind of problems. Glucose mainly is a kind of an energy source in the body. It is created whenever you consume any form of carbohydrates. The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which ultimately helps in regulating the glucose in the blood.

The normal range should be anywhere between 70-150 mg/dl. Your sugar levels may vary within this range depending on your meals and the time of the day. When your sugar levels go beyond the 150mg/dl mark, you could end up with a condition called hyperglycemia or high blood sugar. On the other hand, if your levels are below 70 mg/dl, then you may be suffering from hypoglcemia. Sugar levels which fall very low could eventually prove to be fatal. The normal signs of hypoglycemia are fatigue, tiredness, nausea, personality problems, and in some severe cases even coma. High blood sugar on the other hand usually leads to the more common condition of diabetes. Diabetes if not kept under control, could cause nerve, eye and kidney damage.

The best way to know your normal blood glucose levels is through a blood test. A test confirms your normal range and also helps you to determine if you could be suffering from any kind of the above problems. There are numerous different tests that you could take.

The fasting glucose level test is usually performed when check for diabetes, it is done after fasting fro 8 hours. The normal range for this test should be between 70-99 mg/dl. There is also another test called the postprandial blood sugar test, which is done 2 hours after eating a meal, and the normal range for this test should be between 70-145 mg/dl. A person could also do a random blood test for checking his sugar levels, here the normal range should be between 70-125 mg/dl. If the results fall outside this range frequently, then it could indicate a upcoming problem.

Lastly there is one more test called the oral glucose tolerance test or OGTT. This test is performed after giving a glucose drink to the person. This is normally done when a person, requires to get himself checked for diabetes.

In the end it is very important that a person get his glucose levels checked often, as some of the sugar related disorders can strike without any prior warning. Also please consult your doctor or physician for the best advice and information on normal blood glucose levels and any symptoms you may be having.

A commonly prescribed medical test used these days to decipher if you are sick, experiencing trouble, healthy or to better pinpoint a current internal, medical issue, such as anemia, is a blood test known as a Complete Blood Count Test, or more commonly, CBC, the acronym.

Anemia strikes and affects more than three million men and women each and every year, among the American population. In fact, Anemia, of all blood conditions is the most common.

Humans could not carry on unless we had blood flowing from top to bottom within our bodies. Thus it makes perfect sense it is one of the first tests ordered by your doctor when determining diagnosis. CBC blood tests are often shouted by doctors in t.v. dramas these days, but in actuality, it is a vital step in being sure what is normal and what is abnormal with you, internally.

In the case of Anemia, your doctor may prescribe a complete blood count test to detect is lacking the vital, red blood cells that all humans need in order to get and maintain an optimal amount of oxygen in your blood. Oxygen fuels each of your organs so that they may perform best: ensuring a healthy heart, lungs, brain, every major organ and all the minor organs in between depend on oxygen.

If your blood has too few red blood cells, another factor comes into play: low counts of hemoglobin, ultimately resulting in too little iron in your blood. A major and most common reason why individuals fall short of energy, constantly feel tired and fatigued

A CBC blood test can be prescribed by a doctor simply when you’re are under the weather, chronically tired, or even if you simply have a common cold. You don’t have to be inches from your death bed, nor obviously ill to have CBC blood tests ordered.

Next time you have an appointment with your doctor, physician or alternative practitioner for your yearly check-up, if your doctor doesn’t order a CBC Blood Test, by all means, ask he or she does. It is the cheapest, most simple, maybe even life-saving thing you can do and should do at least once a year.

Your complete blood count test, or CBC represents your internal (which fuels your exterior) health and if there is something to worry about, odds are, warning signs will be found within your blood and its makeup. There are exceptions to the case, but be on the safe side, anyways. Many determining factors are researched with CBC Blood Tests: white blood cells and red blood cells or levels, the HCT (or Hematocrit, which basically is defined by the volume of space which your blood takes up), Hgb (or Hemoglobin which accounts for the oxygen inside your blood cells), and platelet counts which determines your blood’s ability to clot.

Too many or too few of another essential part of your blood, depending on what numbers reveal themselves could be a alert that tells your medical team what is really happening inside you. While the diagnosis variations can be numerous and cover a wide spectrum, having your CBC Blood Test at least once per year, after visiting your doctor can hand you answers to most questions about your internal and external health, that physical touch, listening to your heart, checking your lungs and using a tongue depressor just can’t do.

A CBC (Complete Blood Count) Test (or Tests) can provide you specific answers to why you’re fatigued, not feeling ‘normal’, showing bruising for ‘no reason’, having chest pains, have an infection, are showing allergic reactions, plus a truck load of other potential issues. But, perhaps even more vital, these blood tests allow you the potentially life-saving, life stretching benefit of catching early alerts and signs of maybe hazardous and life shortening trouble if allowed to grow. Write this down now for both yourself and your family to consistently (at least annually) take part in a CBC Blood Test or Complete Blood Count Tests. Sure, may save your life, but even if nothing is terribly out of order, it is a simple way to boost the quality of your life.

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, also known as CMP is an inexpensive blood test that gives you vital information. Why is this important? Generally most people have not had the training to understand what the basic laboratory tests mean. The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is important because it gives an overview of exactly what and how the body is functioning. To understand just the basics of your blood tests will assist you in your health care program. When your physician says all of your results were normal, now you will know what that means.

The comprehensive metabolic panel actually has 17 different tests within the panel. Within these17 tests is important information regarding your kidneys, liver, electrolytes and your sugar levels.

Glucose- To determine if your blood glucose level is within healthy ranges; to screen for, diagnose, and monitor diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) – This measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. This is made when protein is broken down in your body. It is used evaluate kidney function and monitor the effectiveness of dialysis and other treatments related to kidney disease or damage.

Creatinine- To determine if your kidneys are functioning normally and to monitor treatment for kidney disease. The kidneys also filter out waste and other unneeded substances from the blood.

BUN/ Creatinine Ratio- Comparison of the two waste products of the normal metabolic processes.

Sodium- To determine whether your sodium concentration is within normal limits and to help evaluate electrolyte balance and kidney function.

Potassium- To determine whether your potassium concentration is within normal limits and to help evaluate an electrolyte imbalance. It is critical for normal functioning of the muscles, nerves and heart.

Chloride – To determine if there is a problem with your body’s electrolyte or acid-base balance and to monitor treatment. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and PH of your body fluids.

Carbon Dioxide- Carbon dioxide is a gaseous waste product made from metabolism. The blood carries carbon dioxide to your lungs, where it is exhaled. Your kidneys and lungs balance the levels of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonic acid in the blood.

Calcium- To determine if the level of calcium in your blood is at normal levels. Calcium is important to many body functions including muscle contraction, nerve and brain function, bone formation and the release of hormones.

Total Protein- -To determine your nutritional status or to screen for certain liver and kidney disorders as well as other diseases.

Albumin- To screen for a liver disorder or kidney disease or to evaluate nutritional status.

Globulin- Globulins are proteins that can be measured in blood serum. High levels may indicate liver disease, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Low levels may be related to immune deficiency kidney problems or bowel related disease.

A/G Ratio- It has to do with the ratio of albumin and globulin, serum proteins. A decrease in the A/G ratio often indicates the presence of impaired liver function, nutritional status, kidney disease and many other conditions.

Total Bilirubin – To screen for or monitor liver disorders.

ALP- To screen for or monitor treatment for a liver or bone disorders

AST (SGOT ) – To detect potential damage to heart skeletal muscle and liver cells..

ALT(SGPT)- To screen for liver damage. Injury to the liver results in release of this enzyme into the blood.

The comprehensive metabolic panel may also be used to monitor a disease process, and for treatment purposes. Many treatable diseases do not show any physical signs and symptoms, until damage is done. Just because you feel fine does not mean that something may not be wrong. Early detection will save you time, money and heartache down the road.

Diabetes is on the rise. Due to poor food choices and obesity, more and more people are developing Type 2 diabetes. This is preventable in some cases. Simple changes can be done early before potential systemic body damage has started. The American Diabetes Association is a great resource for more information on diabetes.

Liver disease may remain silent for many years until irreversible damage is done. The liver is the largest organ in the body. It plays key roles in many vital body functions. It acts as a filter and is involved in metabolism; hormones, clotting and much more. Other important key factors that may lead to liver disease may include alcohol consumption, prescription medications, over the counter medications, and herbal supplements. Hepatitis may remain silent and only be diagnosed through a simple liver blood test which shows elevated liver enzymes. There are two main enzymes called ALT and AST. These enzymes are located within liver cells which may leak into the bloodstream once damage is done.

Kidney disease can remain silent for many years also. Diseases like hypertension and diabetes may affect your kidney function. The kidneys play many vital roles in processing wastes, and excreting them form the body in the form of urine. When the kidneys fail to do their job, wastes build up quickly resulting in dialysis or death. The Centers for Diseases Contol and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in March 2007 showed some staggering numbers. One in nine adults has chronic kidney disease. Another statistic shows there are 470,000 people relying on dialysis to live. That is almost a half a million people!

Electrolytes are used by nerve, heart, and muscle cells to carry electrical impulses to muscles, nerves and brain. Electrolyte disturbances can occur with vomiting, diarrhea, or diseases involving hormones that regulate electrolyte concentrations. Potassium levels are tied to heart and nerve impulses as well as muscle function.

Time and money are crucial to each of us, luckily there are ways to get to get tested with having to waste too much of either. Reduce your wasted time, money, and stress by understanding the basics of your body first. The next time you see your physician, you may feel a bit empowered by telling him you have already tested and understand what your results mean.

Order your own blood test today. Professional Medical Counselors are available to assist you with all of your testing questions and needs.

Glucose in your blood is the main source of energy for all humans and animals. It is basically a type of sugar which circulates throughout the blood providing the much needed energy. Glucose is manufactured in the body, through the food we eat, mainly carbohydrates. The glucose levels in are blood are controlled by the an hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. It is very important for a person to maintain normal blood glucose levels in his body, to avoid any complication or conditions like diabetes.

Lets discuss what the normal blood glucose levels should be in a person. The normal levels fall in the range of 70-150mg. They typically vary between these two values throughout the day, depending on the time of the day and the kind of meals a person has had. If the levels go above 150 mg for a period of time then a condition occurs called hyperglycemia, and if they fall below 70 mg then a person is know to have to hypoglycemia. Consistent low blood sugar levels can be potentially fatal. Some of the common symptoms of low blood sugar are- tiredness, fatigue, lack of focus and in some extreme cases even coma. On the other hand consistently high blood sugar levels results in diabetes in a person. Diabetes if not treated in time can lead to eye, kidney, heart and nerve damage.

The surest way to measure your glucose levels is through a blood test. It is very important that person do these tests at regular intervals, if he is showing any of the symptoms of irregular blood sugar. There are different kinds of blood tests which can be done. If a person is being diagnosed for diabetes the first test he normally does is called a “fasting blood test”, which is done after a 8 hour fasting period. The results of this test should be between 70-99 mg to indicate normal blood glucose levels.

There is another test called the “two-hour postprandial blood sugar”, which is done after 2 hours of eating a meal. The levels for this test should fall between 70-145 mg.

A third test called the random testing method is done usually at random time throughout the day. The normal levels for this test are 70-125 mg. If the results vary a lot, then it may indicate a problem.

Lastly there is a test called the “oral glucose tolerance test”, which helps to diagnose diabetes. This test is done after supplying the patient with a glucose drink or snack.

If you have any of the symptoms or signs of diabetes or low blood sugar, then it is advisable to contact your physician immediately to get your tested in time.