- What is it for?
- Mellitus diabetes
- Other uses
- Process
- Normal values
- Glycemic reference values
- Abnormal blood glucose values
- References
Hemoglucotest is the term used to designate the method of blood glucose measurement. It is also known as a capillary blood glucose test, or simply glucometry. The quantification of blood glucose requires a device known as a glucometer, which is quick and easy to use.
Conventional laboratories determine the concentration of glucose in venous blood. Once the sample is taken, it must be processed to obtain the serum that will be introduced to a team to measure blood chemistry. It is a process that requires instruments, qualified human resources and calibrated equipment.
Glucometers are small equipment, easy to transport and use; In addition, these kits require a very small blood sample. The measurement occurs by quantifying the intensity of color produced by the contact of the reagent tape with the sample, and for this they have a photometer or an electrochemical sensor.
The development of the hemoglucotest took several years: from the development of the measurement equipment, the invention of the test strips and the design of the glucometers, little more than two decades have elapsed. The first glucometers were marketed in 1981, due to the need to check glucose levels in diabetic patients.
What is it for?
The hemoglycotest or glucometry has the sole purpose of measuring glucose concentrations in capillary blood. This tool provides an approximate result to the serum levels obtained in the laboratory. The ease of handling the glucometers makes it possible to obtain quick results when required.
Mellitus diabetes
The main utility of the hemoglucotest is the quantification of blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. A glucometer allows obtaining an approximate result of the glucose concentration in diabetics under a diet or medical treatment.
Glucose is an essential molecule for life, since it is the basis of energy metabolism. From glucose the human body obtains energy for the normal functioning of the organs and the development of physical and mental activity. The adequate concentration of glucose allows a normal and balanced functioning of the body.
The regulation of glucose depends on a hormone (insulin) produced by the pancreatic islets. This hormone allows the assimilation and proper use of glucose by the body, guaranteeing an optimal concentration.
In diabetes the amount of glucose in the blood is abnormally high (hyperglycemia) due to the absence or low concentration of insulin, as in type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetics, the cause of hyperglycemia is insulin resistance.
The development of diabetes attends to multiple risk factors such as age, overweight, sedentary lifestyle or a family history of the disease.
Part of the treatment for diabetes includes the use of oral hypoglycemic medications and insulin, the use of which should be monitored.
Glucometry is a useful tool, since it allows to know the effect of medication or diet in diabetics. Its use implies preventing acute and chronic complications resulting from the disease or medication.
Other uses
In addition to its main use in people with diabetes, glucometry can be used as a diagnostic technique in other clinical conditions.
Some disease states are caused by or may be a consequence of inadequate blood glucose levels. The hemoglucotest is used to identify these conditions:
- Liver disease.
- Pancreatitis.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Seizures.
- Symptoms of drug intoxication.
- Alcoholism and alcohol intoxication.
- Sepsis.
- Enteral and parenteral nutrition.
- Intense physical exercise.
- Control of glycemia in diets.
- Nutrition management in patients with gastric bypass.
Process
The procedure for performing the hemoglucotest is almost the same for most of the available devices. It has the advantage of being simple, causing little or no discomfort to the patient and obtaining a result in less than two minutes. Its simplicity allows the training of the patient or their families to do it at home.
In a few steps it is possible to make the sample and have it in the equipment for measurement:
- Before the examination, the procedure and its usefulness must be explained to the patient.
- Clean the area where the sample will be taken, usually a finger. The use of alcohol or antiseptics such as iodine should be avoided when cleaning.
- Apply a slight pressure to the area to ensure local capillary filling.
- With the use of a lancet or needle, the skin is carefully pierced, increasing the pressure until at least one drop of blood is obtained.
- The sample is placed on the test tape and the puncture area is occluded with a dressing.
- The tape is inserted into the glucometer.
- The reading of the result can be seen on the screen of the device.
The design of the glucometer must be considered before the procedure. In photometric equipment, the reagent tape is entered into the equipment from the sample side.
The tapes of the electrochemical glucometers have metal contacts at one end, which are the ones that are inserted into the equipment.
Normal values
The normal range of glucose values is the one that allows optimal functioning of the body. Values below or above normal limits will produce organic changes and symptoms that require immediate treatment.
Glycemic reference values
Blood glucose values are expressed in mg / dL or mmol / L, depending on the place where it is performed. The normal range for blood glucose is between 60 and 100 mg / dL, or 3.5 to 5.5 mmol / L.
For a routine control, the sample will be taken under basal conditions. In some circumstances, the test will be done even when food has been eaten.
Prolonged fasting, the consumption of sugar or food in excess, or medications - such as steroids, hypoglycemic agents and insulin - can affect the results.
Abnormal blood glucose values
A blood glucose count above the normal limit is considered hyperglycemia. For the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, the determined value is 126-130 mg / dL. On the contrary, values lower than 60 mg / dL constitute hypoglycemia, characterized by neurological disorders.
The importance of having a glucometer lies in providing an easy and accessible method of glycemic control, useful in the drug management of diabetes mellitus.
Adjusting the dose of medications -such as hypoglycemic agents and insulin-, in addition to preventing complications, is an advantage that the hemoglucotest allows.
References
- DePietro, M; Higuera, V (2016). Blood sugar test. Recovered from healthline.com
- Mandal, A (2016). Blood sugar fluctuations. Recovered from news-medical.net
- Wikipedia (last reviewed 2018). Glucose test. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia (last reviewed 2018). Glucose meter. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
- Ferguson, A (2005). Blood glucose monitoring. Recovered from nursintimes.net
- (sf) Glucometer use. Recovered from opentextbc.ca
- WebMd medical reference Rev by Dansinger, M (2017). Types of diabetes mellitus. Recovered from webmd.com
- I live ok team. The principles of operation of different types of glucometers. Recovered from iliveok.com
- Irina (2011). Hypoglycemic symptoms to watch for. Recovered from webdicine.com