Blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels measure how much sugar is circulating in your blood. It’s usually measured by testing your blood using a finger prick, drawing bloodwork, or using a continuous glucose monitor. We always have glucose in our bloodstream as it is the body’s main source of energy. But it’s important to not have too little or too much glucose in your blood. This is regulated by the pancreas, which controls both insulin (which helps keep blood glucose from going too high) and glucagon (which helps keep blood glucose from going too low).
Fasting blood glucose levels should be under 99 mg/dl. For people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, this number is a little different. The American Diabetes Association recommends fasting blood glucose levels in people with diabetes to be between 70 and 130 mg/dl. Two hours after eating a meal, the ADA recommends blood sugar be under 180 mg/dl.
Consistently high levels of blood glucose can be harmful to the body. If you have diabetes, follow your prescribed diet, and take your medications as directed and are still having high blood sugar levels, please consult your doctor for further treatments. For many people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss can help lower blood sugar levels.
If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight or obese, bariatric surgery may be an option for you. Call Dr. Shillingford’s office today at (561) 483-8840 to schedule your free informational session to learn if lap band, gastric sleeve, or gastric bypass surgery is right for you. Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA is a board-certified surgeon specializing in advanced laparoscopic, robotic surgery, and bariatric surgery. His lap band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass surgery patients receive pre-surgical care and post-surgical follow up to help ensure success, including weight loss, normalization of blood sugar levels, and improvement in blood pressure.
