Hyperglycemia and diabetes

When the glucose level in our blood is raised above the normal limit it is called hyperglycemia. Generally, we may think that diabetes and hyperglycemia are the same, but actually, they aren’t. All diabetes is indeed a state of hyperglycemia but all hyperglycemia may not reach (yet) to the diabetes level. This level of persistently raised blood glucose is known as pre-diabetes ( or impaired glucose).

Image source

We have learned that hyperglycemia may be classified into two; pre-diabetes and diabetes. So, what are the outcomes of these two conditions (if no actions are taken)?

The outcome of Pre-diabetes:

A person with pre-diabetes is at much higher risk of developing full-blown diabetes.

Increased risk of macrovascular complications; mostly, the large blood vessels become narrow due to deposition of lipid (fat) in the wall of the vessels (atheroma).

Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack (Myocardial Infarction), stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

The outcome of diabetes (uncontrolled or poorly controlled):

Increased risk of microvascular (small/narrow vessels) complications. The most affected organs are the eyes (Retinopathy), Kidneys (nephropathy) and nervous system (neuropathy).

When should we call it diabetes or pre-diabetes?

With the advent of glucometers, we can check the blood glucose level at anytime, anywhere. If we just know the units of measurement of that particular glucometer and the normal value of blood glucose in relation to the time of taking the meal, we can easily find out either of diseases.

Two types of unit of measurements are available: mmol/L & mg/dL. We can convert one into another easily (roughly) by this way: mmol/L × 18 = mg/dL

You are a diabetic, if:

Fasting blood glucose (before breakfast): ≥ 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL)

Or

Random blood glucose (anytime) or 2 hours after a 75 g glucose drink or 2 hours after a meal: ≥ 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)

You are a pre-diabetic, if:

Fasting blood glucose: ≥ 6.0 mmol/L (108 mg/dL) but < 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) [ It is also known as impaired fasting glucose]

and/or

Fasting blood glucose < 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) and 2 hours after a 75 g glucose load 7.8-11.1 mmol/L (140-200mg/dL) [ It is also known as impaired glucose tolerance]

Republished from my personal blog