i took a blood sugar test due to having symptoms related to hypoglycemia for several months. it was 69mg/dl, is this low? what should i do now?

Question

Help please. Could an ordinary "blood test" catch low blood sugar/hypoglycemia?

Answer 1

Not low blood sugar: Nope. That's stone-cold normal. Are you diabetic or obese? Unless you're on Insulin (or a few other drugs) for diabetes, hypoglycemia is very, very rare, and usually due to an insulin-producing tumor in the pancreas. "Hypoglycemia" used to be a common fad diagnosis, but it isn't a real diagnosis in those cases, and those people's symptoms have nothing to do with blood sugar levels. Look elsewhere!

Answer 2

Depends: If the test was 2 hours or more after eating that is too high and may indicate diabetes or prediabetes. Do not test the blood sugar sooner than 2 hours after a meal. See your doctor for a hemoglobin A1c test which measures the blood star over the past 2 months. This is a good indicator of your blood sugar status.

Answer 3

How long after food?: When using a lab, a blood sugar of < 140 mg/dl two hours following a meal is normal. Home glucometers can be off, so 168 could potentially be higher or lower.

Answer 4

The more the better: Ideally minimum 4x per day: before breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime and 2 hrs after having a heavy meal. With control over a period of time regimen might be modified. The more intense your therapy the more you will be asked to test. The more information, the more efficent desicion making.

Answer 5

Depends: Diabetes is a broad label for problems of varying intensities. An unstable type one that has frequent hospitalizations needs frequent tests while an type 2 adult may get away with fewer. This is best worked out with your healthcare provider/treatment team who knows your case.

Answer 6

Glucometer: Yes. Most pharmacies sell glucometers (blood sugar testing machines) and are realtively inexpensive.

Answer 7

Using device...: Bought in pharmacies, you stick your finger or forearm with a tiny lancet, put small drop of blood on a strip that you slide into machine, and the machine 'reads' the blood sugar.

Answer 8

Accucheck: Home blood sugar test is usually a finger prick or from the forearm. This is commonly referred to as an accucheck. It is a rapid assessment of the blood sugar from the capillary blood flow.

Answer 9

Blood is drawn vein: It depends whether it is to be sent to lab or through a glucometer usually lab test is done after overnight fasting and blood is drawn from a vein in your arm or back of hand through a very small needle with minimal discomfort glucometer blood sugar testing can be done at home by stiching your finger and testing the sugar level at home.

i took a blood sugar test due to having symptoms related to hypoglycemia for several months. it was 69mg/dl, is this low? what should i do now?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Similar questions

I tested my bs after eating with a home blood sugar test and it was 168 is that ok?

How often should a diabetic do a ?Home blood sugar test?

Is there an over-the-counter blood sugar test taking device that can be purchased?

What is the definition or description of: home blood sugar test?

What does a person go through during a blood sugar test?

Related questions

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

People also asked

Disclaimer:

Get the free app for Members

Get the free app for Doctors