Blood Sugar Measurement

Both sets of units are used to measure blood sugar levels and both give a measurement of the concentration of glucose in the blood albeit in slightly different ways.

Blood sugar measurement. In the uk and commonwealth countries it s measured using millimoles per liter mmol l. Mg dl gives the concentration by the ratio of weight to volumen in this case milligrams per decilitre. A continuous glucose monitor uses a sensor to measure blood sugar levels. The international standard way of measuring blood glucose levels is in terms of a molar concentration measured in mmol l millimoles per litre.

Then you put the test strip into a meter that shows your blood sugar. Normal blood sugar levels for diabetics before eating fasting range from 80 mg dl to 130 mg dl while the high range starts at 180 mg dl. It can tell you when your sugar is too low or too high. In the united states germany and other countries mass concentration is measured in mg dl milligrams per decilitre.

People can measure their blood sugar levels with either a blood sugar meter or a continuous glucose monitor. Blood sugar testing requires the use of a blood sugar meter. You prick your finger with a small sharp needle called a lancet and put a drop of blood on a test strip. Blood sugar meter this device also called a glucose meter or monitor measures how much sugar or glucose is in a drop of your blood.

Even if you use a cgm you ll still need a blood sugar meter to calibrate your cgm device daily. People with diabetes need to check their blood sugar glucose levels often to determine if they are too low hypoglycemia normal or too high hyperglycemia. In the usa it s measured using milligrams per deciliter mg dl. Mmol l gives the molarity which is the number of molecules of a substance within a specified volumen in this case within 1 litre.

Or millimolar abbreviated mm. Blood sugar measurement is also typically included in routine lab work for people without diabetes your physician will usually order a glycated hemoglobin a1c test which measures your average.