Blood contains many elements that perform various functions. An increase or decrease in their number leads to the development of serious diseases and a sharp deterioration in a person’s well-being. This is especially true for the concentration of sugar and cholesterol in the blood. Their increase becomes the main impetus for the development of diabetes and cholesterol disease.
Everyone should know the normal levels of blood sugar and cholesterol. After all, only by changing their content can one detect the development of diseases in a timely manner and begin their treatment without waiting for complications to arise.
Functions of blood glucose
Sugar and cholesterol are two important components of blood. The body uses the first of them as a source of energy, with which it saturates each of its cells. Without it, not a single internal organ, including the brain, can function normally.
Sugar, also known as glucose, is a simple carbohydrate that is broken down into various elements during digestion. “Beneficial” remain in the body and are absorbed into the blood, “harmful” are eliminated from it naturally along with sweat, urine and feces.
The human body is unable to produce glucose on its own. He receives it along with the food that a person eats. It is found in foods rich in sucrose, lactose and starch.
Glucose is the only energy source for the human body. Without her he cannot exist.
Insulin, which is synthesized by the pancreas, converts glucose into energy. If its functionality is impaired, the production of this hormone decreases, as a result of which sugar stops being broken down and settles in the form of crystals in the blood.
This condition is dangerous because it leads to the development of a chronic form of diabetes that cannot be treated. First, a person develops type 2 diabetes, in which insulin synthesis is normal, but the body's cells lose sensitivity to it. Because of this, the pancreas begins to produce it more actively, since it needs to process glucose. Heavy loads lead to “wear and tear” of the gland. As a result, its cells are damaged and stop producing insulin. Thus, type 1 diabetes develops.
Glucose metabolism
And if T2DM can still be cured, provided that treatment measures begin immediately after the disease is detected, then in the case of T1DM this is impossible. When it occurs, a person has nothing left to do but constantly monitor his diet and take insulin medications that make up for the deficiency of insulin in the body.
To promptly detect the development of diabetes, it is necessary to periodically take a blood sugar test. This can be done either at home using a special device (glucometer) or in a hospital.
Cholesterol: good, bad, total
The fact that if cholesterol levels are higher than normal is harmful, they talk very often and actively. Therefore, many people are under the impression that the lower the cholesterol, the better. But in order for all systems in the body to function normally, this substance is very important. It is important that a person’s cholesterol remains normal throughout his life.
It is customary to distinguish between so-called bad and good cholesterol. Low cholesterol (bad) is the one that settles on the walls inside the blood vessels and forms plaques. It has low or very low density and combines with special types of protein - apoproteins . As a result, VLDL fat-protein complexes . It is when the LDL level increases that a dangerous health condition occurs.
VLDL – what is it? The norm of this indicator and all the necessary information can be obtained from a specialist.
Now the LDL norm in men and the LDL norm in women after 50 years of age and at a younger age are determined by conducting cholesterol tests and are expressed by different laboratory methods, the units of determination are mg/dL or mmol/L. You need to understand when determining LDL that this is a value that should be analyzed by a specialist and appropriate treatment prescribed if LDL cholesterol is elevated. What this means depends on the metrics. Thus, in healthy people, this indicator is considered normal at a level below 4 mmol/l (160 mg/dl).
Cholesterol plaques in arteries
If a blood test shows that cholesterol is high, you should ask your doctor what to do. As a rule, if the value of such cholesterol is elevated, this means that the patient will be prescribed a diet, or this condition should be treated with medications.
The question of whether you should take cholesterol pills is controversial. It is important to note that statins do not eliminate the causes of high cholesterol. We are talking about diabetes , low mobility and obesity . Statins only suppress the production of this substance in the body, but at the same time they provoke numerous side effects. Sometimes cardiologists say that the use of statins is more dangerous for the body than elevated cholesterol levels.
- In people suffering from coronary artery , angina pectoris , or those who have had a stroke or myocardial infarction , cholesterol levels should be below 2.5 mmol/l or 100 mg/dl.
- Those who do not suffer from heart disease, but have more than two risk factors, need to maintain blood pressure at 3.3 mmol/l or below 130 mg/dl.
Bad cholesterol is counteracted by so-called good cholesterol, HDL cholesterol. What is high-density lipoprotein cholesterol? It is an essential substance for the body, as it collects bad cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels, after which it promotes its removal to the liver, where it is destroyed. Many people are interested: if HDL is lowered, what does this mean? It should be borne in mind that this condition is dangerous, since atherosclerosis develops not only against the background of increased low-density cholesterol, but also if LDL cholesterol is reduced. If HDL cholesterol is elevated, what does this mean, you need to ask a specialist.
That is why the most undesirable option in adults is when the level of bad x-x is increased and the level of good x-x is decreased. According to statistics, approximately 60% of mature people have this combination of indicators. And the earlier such indicators can be determined and treatment carried out correctly, the lower the risk of developing dangerous diseases.
Good cholesterol, unlike bad cholesterol, is produced only by the body, so it will not be possible to increase its level by consuming certain foods.
The normal level of good cholesterol in women is slightly higher than normal HDL cholesterol in men. The most important recommendation on how to increase its level in the blood is the following: it is necessary to practice physical activity, during which its production increases. Even if you do ordinary exercises at home every day, this will help not only increase HDL, but also reduce levels of bad cholesterol, which comes into the body from food.
Differences between good and bad cholesterol
If a person has eaten food that contains very high cholesterol, to activate its removal it is necessary to ensure the active work of muscles of all groups.
Thus, those who want the LDL and HDL levels to be restored need to:
- move more (especially for those who have suffered a heart attack or stroke);
- exercise moderately;
- practice intense physical activity (in the absence of contraindications).
You can also increase the level of good x-n by taking a small dose of alcohol. However, in no case should it be more than one glass of dry wine per day.
It is important to take into account that excessive load threatens to suppress the synthesis of xenon.
To correctly decipher a blood test, you should take into account the level of cholesterol in a person’s blood. There is a table of cholesterol norms for women by age, from which, if necessary, you can find out what the cholesterol norm is for women after 50 years of age, and what the norm is considered to be for women at a young age. Accordingly, the patient can independently determine whether her cholesterol is high or low and consult a doctor who will help find out the reasons for low or high cholesterol levels. It is the doctor who determines what treatment and diet should be.
- The normal level of cholesterol in the blood for women and men based on HDL, if the condition of the heart and blood vessels is normal, is above 1 mmol/l or 39 mg/dl.
- In people with coronary artery disease who have had a stroke or heart attack, the indicator should be 1-1.5 mmol/l or 40-60 mg/dl.
The analysis process also determines the norm of total cholesterol in women and men, that is, how good and bad cholesterol correlate. Total cholesterol in the blood should be no more than 5.2 mmol/l or 200 mg/dl.
If the norm in young men is even slightly exceeded, then this must be considered a pathology. There is also a table of cholesterol norms in men by age, which can easily be used to determine the cholesterol norm in men and its indicators at different ages. From the corresponding table you can find out what norm of hdl-cholesterol is considered optimal
However, in order to determine whether the level in men and women is actually normal for this indicator, first of all, you need to do a blood test, which makes it possible to find out the content of total h-chloride, as well as the content of other indicators - low or high sugar and etc.
After all, even if the norm of total cholesterol is noticeably exceeded, it is impossible to determine the symptoms or special signs of such a condition. That is, a person does not even realize that the norm has been exceeded, and his blood vessels are clogged or narrowed, until he begins to notice that he has pain in the heart , or until a stroke or heart attack .
Therefore, it is important even for a healthy person of any age to get tested and monitor whether the permissible cholesterol level is exceeded. Also, each person should prevent an increase in these indicators in order to avoid the development of atherosclerosis and other serious ailments in the future.
Functions of cholesterol in the blood
Cholesterol is a substance that is involved in various processes occurring in the body. Without it, metabolism, the production of sex hormones, as well as the functioning of the central nervous system and brain are disrupted, since it is an important component of its cells.
Many people believe that cholesterol enters the body only through food. But actually it is not. It is produced by the liver. It is disruptions in its functioning that lead to changes in the indicators of this element in the blood. As for food, it is also contained in it, but is absorbed by the body only 20%.
It should be noted that there are “bad” and “good” cholesterol. The latter has a high density (HDL) and provides reliable protection for the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of developing cardiac pathologies several times. It is found in foods such as chicken eggs, butter (homemade) and red meat.
“Bad” cholesterol is considered to be low density cholesterol (LDL). But it also plays an important role in the human body - it produces hormones and synthesizes vitamin D. There is a certain balance between HDL and LDL, but when there is more of the latter, this leads to excess weight and the formation of cholesterol plaques in the vessels, which provoke the development of atherosclerosis and thrombophlebitis .
And only HDL is able to “slow down” the actions of LDL, clearing blood vessels of cholesterol deposits, sending them to the liver and removing them from the body naturally. For this reason, when a person is diagnosed with diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is mandatory to undergo an analysis to determine the level of HDL and LDL.
What are the norms?
When doing blood tests to determine cholesterol and blood sugar levels at home or in a clinic, you need to know their norms. In order for the research to show correct results, certain rules must be followed when taking the test.
Blood testing for sugar should take place in several stages - on an empty stomach and two hours after eating food. Thus, it is possible to determine not only the concentration of sugar in the blood, but also how quickly the process of its breakdown occurs.
The concentration of sugar in the blood varies depending on a person's age. The table below describes its norms:
Table 1. Normal blood sugar levels based on age.
| Age | Sugar norm, mmol/l |
| 2 days – 4.3 weeks | 2,8-4,4 |
| 4.3 weeks-14 years | 3,4-5,6 |
| 14-60 years | 4,1-5,9 |
| 60-90 years | 4,6-6,4 |
| over 90 years | 4,2-6,7 |
It should be noted that when eating a lot of foods high in fructose and lactose, the blood glucose level increases by 1–1.5 units, which is the absolute norm. And in order to avoid making an erroneous diagnosis, on the eve of and after the first test, you should not eat such foods. These include chocolate, confectionery, sweet varieties of berries and fruits, etc.
In the presence of diabetes mellitus, the indicators significantly exceed the norm and can reach:
- on an empty stomach – up to 7.0 mmol/l;
- after meals – up to 10.0 mmol/l.
As a rule, with such blood sugar levels, doctors do not prescribe replacement therapy and recommend that patients simply monitor their diet more carefully, eating only low-carbohydrate foods. This will significantly reduce the risks of decreased vision, the occurrence of kidney and heart pathologies, as well as various diseases of the lower extremities, including gangrene.
If regular blood tests show that the glucose level gradually increases and exceeds 10 mmol/l on an empty stomach, then replacement therapy is already used, which involves the use of insulin drugs.
The level of cholesterol in the blood also has its own norms, which depend on the age category of the person. You can see them in the table.
Blood cholesterol levels by age
Typically, women have slightly lower cholesterol levels than men. But in both the first and second cases, an increase in its indicators leads to the development of cardiovascular pathologies, some of which can even lead to death.
Considering what serious problems deviation of these indicators from the norm can lead to, blood tests for sugar and cholesterol should be taken regularly. And when they increase, it is necessary to immediately take measures to optimize them. This is the only way to prevent the development of various pathologies.
Decoding the results of a biochemical blood test
New generation laboratory analyzers are able to provide research results within two hours after blood sampling. As a rule, the patient receives the results within 2-3 days in the form of a printed or electronic table, which lists the studied indicators, their values and reference (average) normal ranges. Different laboratories offer different amounts of data, but this article will describe the most commonly tested blood parameters.
Squirrels
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Albumen | A.L.B. | < 14 years: 38–54 14–60 years: 35–50 > 60 years: 34–38 | g/l | |
| Glycated hemoglobin | HbA1c, A1c, glycosylated hemoglobin | < 5,7 | % | |
| Total protein | TP, TProt, Serum | < 1 year: 47–72 1–4 years: 61–75 5–7 years: 52–78 8–15 years: 58–76 > 15 years: 64–83 | g/l | |
| C-reactive protein | CRP, SRP | < 0,5 | g/l | |
| Iron binding capacity of serum | TIBC, IBC, OZhSS | 45,3–77,1 | µmol/l | |
| Myoglobin | Myoglobin | 12–76 | 19–92 | µg/l |
| Transferrin | Tf | 2,2–2,4 | 2–4 | g/l |
| Ferritin | Ferritin | 13–150 | 30–400 | µg/l |
Total protein characterizes the state of protein metabolism and reveals dysproteinemia (changes in the quantitative ratio of protein fractions in the blood serum). Decreased values may indicate poor nutrition, liver disease, consequences of burns, injuries and operations, while elevated values may indicate an infectious disease, non-infectious hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, dehydration, or may be caused by diarrhea and vomiting.
The protein albumin occupies up to 65% of the volume of blood plasma, is produced by the liver and performs the most important function of transporting many biologically active substances. The reasons for the decrease in albumin concentration coincide with those for total protein. The value increases quite rarely, for example, with dehydration, hemoconcentration or due to the use of anabolic steroids.
The iron-containing protein myoglobin is studied primarily for the purpose of early diagnosis of myocardial infarction. A high concentration of myoglobin may indicate myocardial infarction, heart failure, acute kidney damage, the consequences of thermal burns, and electric shock. Low myoglobin accompanies the course of rheumatoid arthritis and polio.
The value of glycated or glycosylated hemoglobin is very important for patients with diabetes mellitus and is also used for its diagnosis. Glycated hemoglobin gives an idea of the average level of glucose in the blood over a long period of time (1–2 months). If the concentration of this protein fraction does not exceed 5.7% of the total volume of hemoglobin in the blood, then we can speak of a compensated state. Values in the range of 5.7–6.4% indicate a risk of developing diabetes mellitus; values above 6.4% indicate severe decompensated diabetes.
C-reactive protein acts as an indicator of inflammation in the body. Exceeding the threshold of 0.5 g/l indicates acute inflammation or malignancy. This parameter is also important for assessing the effectiveness of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy.
The studied values of transferrin , ferritin and iron-binding capacity of serum make it possible to diagnose the pathology of iron metabolism in the blood. Transferrin is the main carrier of iron; an increase in its concentration, as a rule, indicates the development of iron deficiency anemia, and a decrease indicates infections, liver cirrhosis, anemia of other etiologies, or protein starvation. In iron deficiency anemia, ferritin, on the contrary, decreases, and its increase indicates inflammatory processes, liver disease or oncopathology.
Lipids
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Triglycerides | TRIG | < 15 years: 0.40–1.48 15–30 years: 0.4–1.63 30–55 years: 0.44–2.63 > 55 years: 0.62–2.71 | < 15 years: 0.34–1.41 15–30 years: 0.45–2.81 30–55 years: 0.56–3.61 > 55 years: 0.65–3.29 | mmol/l |
| Total cholesterol | CHOL | 5,2 | mmol/l | |
| Cholesterol-HDL | HDL, HDL-C | 1,03–1,55 | mmol/l | |
| LDL cholesterol | LDL, LDL-C | 0–3,3 | mmol/l | |
Total cholesterol is used to identify primary and secondary disorders of lipid metabolism, assess the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, and also to assess the effectiveness of treatment for atherogenic disorders of lipid metabolism. A decrease in value is caused by cachexia, starvation, malabsorption, severe acute diseases, liver failure, hyperthyroidism, and an increase is caused by primary and secondary dislipoproteinemia. The dangerous consequences of low cholesterol are psychophysiological disorders and reproductive dysfunction, while high cholesterol is diabetes and atherosclerosis. A biochemical blood test for triglycerides (products of carbohydrate metabolism in the liver) pursues the same objectives; the reasons for the increase and decrease in their concentration also coincide with total cholesterol.
and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively) are tested and interpreted in conjunction with total cholesterol and triglycerides for a more accurate diagnosis. HDL cholesterol increases in primary biliary cirrhosis, hepatitis, alcoholism, or its increase may be genetically determined. In patients with atherosclerosis, decompensated diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and cholestasis, the HDL-C value decreases. Low-density lipoproteins are involved in the processing and elimination of fats; a decrease in their concentration may indicate the development of chronic anemia, Raynaud's syndrome or myeloma, and an increase may indicate hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, porphyria, Cushing's syndrome, and the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Carbohydrates
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Glucose | GLUC | 3,3–5,5 | mmol/l | |
| Fructosamine | FRA | 0–285 | µmol/l | |
Glucose is the main source of energy for all cells and tissues of the human body and, in particular, its only source for the brain. The glucose value in the biochemical analysis results reflects the blood sugar level. If this value is increased, then there is a possible risk of developing diabetes mellitus, damage to the central nervous system, and hormonal disorders. Glucose “falls” with the formation of tumors in the pancreas, with liver and adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, malnutrition, or due to insulin intake.
fructosamine value reflects fluctuations in blood glucose levels in the 2–3 weeks preceding the test. If its concentration exceeds 280–285 µmol/l, then the doctor considers the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus.
Inorganic substances and vitamins
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Vitamin B12 | 208–963,5 | pg/ml | ||
| Iron | Fe, IRON | < 2 years: 7–18 2–14 years: 9–22 > 14 years: 9–30 | < 2 years: 7–18 2–14 years: 9–22 > 14 years: 11–31 | µmol/l |
| Potassium | K | 3,5–5 | mmol/l | |
| Calcium | Ca | 2,25–2,5 | mmol/l | |
| Magnesium | Mg | 0,75–1,25 | mmol/l | |
| Sodium | Na | 136–145 | mmol/l | |
| Phosphorus | P | < 2 years: 1.45–2.16 2–12 years: 1.45–1.78 12–60 years: 0.87–1.45 > 60 years: 0.90–1.32 | < 2 years: 1.45–2.16 2–12 years: 1.45–1.78 12–60 years: 0.87–1.45 > 60 years: 0.74–1.2 | mmol/l |
| Chlorine | Cl | 98–107 | mmol/l | |
Vitamin B12 in the human body is involved, in particular, in the production of red blood cells. High levels of this vitamin may indicate liver disease, kidney disease, or leukemia. Diseases of parasitic etiology, inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract and adherence to a vegetarian (vegan) diet, on the contrary, lead to a decrease in the level of vitamin B12 in the blood.
In one of the previous paragraphs it was mentioned that iron takes part in the process of oxygen transport. Its deficiency is usually explained by poor nutrition or metabolic disorders, and its excess is usually explained by functional intestinal disorders.
Potassium is responsible for regulating water balance and normalizing heart rate. Potassium deficiency occurs due to improper or insufficient nutrition, vomiting, renal failure, Cushing's syndrome, osmotic diuresis, chronic kidney disease, and also accompanies long-term use of steroid drugs. Potassium increases with acute dehydration, extensive injuries and burns, chronic adrenal insufficiency, diabetic coma, or due to taking potassium-sparing diuretics.
Calcium is involved in the formation of bone tissue and is extremely important for the normal functioning of muscles, nerves, heart muscle and blood vessels. Low blood calcium values indicate vitamin D deficiency, functional kidney disease, pancreatitis, impaired magnesium metabolism, or hypoparathyroidism. An increase in calcium levels accompanies hyperparathyroidism or is a symptom of cancer.
Magnesium performs the function of intracellular metabolism and transmission of impulses from nerve endings to muscles. Poor nutrition, impaired absorption, prolonged diarrhea, colitis, enterocolitis and dyspepsia reduce the concentration of magnesium in the blood. Its increase is caused by functional kidney disorders, hypothyroidism, lactic acidosis and neoplasms.
Along with magnesium, sodium , which also takes part in calcium metabolism, is responsible for transmitting impulses to muscles. The cause of sodium reduction may be hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney and gastrointestinal diseases, congestive heart failure, taking gentamicin, and less commonly, Parhon's syndrome or hypercalciuria. High sodium levels in biochemistry results indicate dehydration, oversaturation of the body with salts, diabetes insipidus or kidney disease with oliguria.
Normal functioning of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems is impossible without a sufficient amount of phosphorus in the body. The phosphorus content in the blood increases with hypoparathyroidism, excess vitamin D, rhabdomyolysis, bone diseases or poor diet, and less often with acromegaly. On the other hand, hypovitaminosis D, hyperparathyroidism, kidney transplantation, intravenous infusions of glucose, and respiratory alkalosis cause a decrease in the concentration of phosphorus in the blood.
Chlorine performs the functions of maintaining the acid-base balance of the blood and osmotic pressure. The most obvious reasons for a decrease in chlorine levels are profuse sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, incorrect treatment with diuretics; less commonly, a decrease is caused by nephrotic syndrome and hypokalemic metabolic syndrome. An excess of chlorine in the blood can be a consequence of dehydration, swelling, alkalosis and cardiac decompensation.
Example of blood biochemistry results
Low molecular weight nitrogenous substances
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Creatinine | CREA | 53–97 | 62–115 | µmol/l |
| Uric acid | U.A. | < 14 years: 120–320 > 14 years: 150–350 | < 14 years: 120–320 > 14 years: 210–420 | µmol/l |
| Urea | UREA | 2,2–6,7 | 3,8–7,3 | mmol/l |
Urea and creatinine are studied in combination; their values reflect the functional state of the patient’s kidneys, in particular, the degree of impairment of filtration and excretory functions. High values indicate kidney problems, but may be due to excessive exercise, a high-protein diet, prolonged fasting, or thyroid disease. Low urea values may be due to a low protein diet, pregnancy, and liver disease.
The level of uric acid , as an auxiliary parameter, reflects the body's ability to remove waste products from the metabolic processes of nucleic acids and purines. Of particular diagnostic interest for patients with gout. The main causes of increased uric acid are gout and alcoholism, and less commonly, kidney and liver pathologies. Low values of uric acid in the results of a biochemical blood test are much less common and, as a rule, indicate improper or insufficient nutrition.
Pigments
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Total bilirubin | BILT | 3,4–17,1 | µmol/l | |
| Direct bilirubin | BILD, D-BIL | 0–7,9 | µmol/l | |
| Bilirubin indirect | ID-BIL | BILT - BILD | µmol/l | |
The yellow pigment bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood during diseases and hereditary pathologies of the liver and biliary tract, for example, with Gilbert's syndrome. Indirect bilirubin may also increase in some anemias and malaria.
Enzymes
| Designation | Norma (women) | Norma (men) | Units | |
| Alanine aminotransferase | ALT | < 31 | < 41 | units/l |
| Amylase | AMY | 28–100 | units/l | |
| Pancreatic amylase | AMY-P | 0–50 | units/l | |
| Aspartate aminotransferase | AST | < 32 | < 40 | units/l |
| Gamma glutamyl transferase | GGT | 6–42 | 10–71 | units/l |
| Creatine kinase | CK | 0–25 | units/l | |
| Lactate dehydrogenase | LDH | 250 | units/l | |
| Lipase | LIP | 0–190 | units/l | |
| Phosphatase alkaline | A.L.P. | 0–240 | 0–270 | units/l |
| Cholinesterase | CHE | 5860–11800 | 5800–14600 | units/l |
A liver enzyme with an unpronounceable name, alanine aminotransferase, is involved in amino acid metabolism. The indicator increases with myocardial infarction, acute hepatitis A and B, and other liver diseases.
The enzyme amylase is produced by the salivary glands and pancreas and is responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates. Exceeding the norm by 3–5 times may indicate acute appendicitis, peritonitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, cholecystitis. In acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of its chronic form, the amylase value increases 10–30 times. An increased value of pancreatic amylase allows for timely detection of complications from operations on the abdominal organs and pancreatic diseases.
The concentration of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase in a person’s blood increases greatly in case of damage to the liver or heart muscle; due to alcohol abuse, the levels can double the normal level.
High levels of the gamma-glutamyltransferase are observed in patients with acute hepatitis, extra- and intrahepatic cholestasis, alcoholism, pancreatic and prostate cancer, and primary liver tumors.
An increase in the concentration of creatine kinase in the blood may indicate myocardial infarction, muscle damage of various origins, and renal failure. Lactate dehydrogenase increases in diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, as well as in pregnant women. High lipase are observed in patients with acute pancreatitis, intestinal infarction, biliary colic, wounds, fractures, and breast cancer. The metabolism of phosphorus in the body is directly related to the content of alkaline phosphatase - its increase accompanies acute viral and alcoholic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, mononucleosis, liver cancer or liver metastases. Cholinesterase decreases in liver cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatitis, myocardial infarction. The value of cholinesterase is also indicative for patients taking muscle relaxants.
What are the dangers of high cholesterol and blood sugar?
High blood sugar leads to the development of diabetes. This disease can lead to serious complications, including:
- Ketoacytosis. Characterized by the accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood. Manifested by dizziness, loss of consciousness, lethargy, etc.
- Hypoglycemia. A sharp decrease in blood sugar levels, which is provoked by improper use of insulin medications, prolonged physical activity, and alcohol intake. Manifested by convulsions, dizziness, loss of consciousness, lack of pupillary response to light, coma.
- Hyperosmolar coma. Characterized by increased levels of sodium and glucose in the blood. The main reason for its development is prolonged dehydration of the body. It manifests itself as unquenchable thirst, photophobia, increased urination, headaches, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
- Lactic acid coma. As it develops, lactic acid accumulates in the blood. As a rule, this condition occurs against the background of renal or liver failure. Manifested by respiratory failure, decreased blood pressure, and lack of urination.
Diabetes mellitus is also characterized by complications such as:
- retinopathy;
- angiopathy;
- polyneuropathy;
- diabetic foot.
Increased cholesterol concentration leads to the formation of plaques in blood vessels
With high blood cholesterol levels, the risk of developing:
- myocardial infarction;
- stroke;
- thrombophlebitis;
- varicose veins;
- hypertension;
- heart failure;
- liver failure.
Tests in the clinic
You can check your blood sugar and cholesterol levels at any clinic. To do this, you will need to get a referral from your doctor and visit the laboratory. What preparation is required before taking the test? No. The only thing you need to do is stop eating 8 hours before the upcoming procedure. For the study, venous blood or blood from a finger is taken. As a rule, the results become known the very next day.
If the patient suffers from constant thirst, dry mouth, itchy skin and general weakness, then he is prescribed a test that allows him to determine glycated hemoglobin. It is thanks to it that the development of diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2 can be detected. The analysis is carried out in several stages - the first blood sample is taken on an empty stomach, the second - 2 hours after eating.
How to prepare for the procedure?
- Blood sampling for biochemistry is always performed on an empty stomach, most often between 8 and 11 am. On the day of the procedure, it is allowed to drink still water, and the day before the procedure, heavy foods, carbonated drinks, strong coffee, tea and alcohol should be excluded from the diet.
- You should not smoke in the last hour before donating blood.
- Immediately before the procedure, try to avoid physical and emotional stress; for the last 10–20 minutes it is better to just sit near the manipulation room.
- If the date of the biochemical blood test falls during a course of drug treatment or a course of physical therapy, then it is worth consulting with a doctor - he may recommend rescheduling the test to another time or interrupting the course of treatment for several days.
Determining blood sugar and cholesterol at home
As mentioned above, you can conduct a blood test to determine the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood yourself. To do this, you will need a special device, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. They come in different types, but the most popular and informative are:
- EasyMate – determines cholesterol and blood sugar levels in 2 minutes, requires a minimal amount of blood;
- EasyTouch – shows the concentration of sugar, cholesterol and hemoglobin;
- Cardio Check – determines the level of sugar, cholesterol and creatinine.
This is what a glucometer looks like
It is recommended that everyone, even completely healthy people, have these devices in their home. Thanks to them, it is possible to identify deviations in a timely manner and take all necessary therapeutic measures that will help avoid serious health problems.
What to do if deviations from the norm are identified?
If the results of a blood test reveal deviations from the norm, you should immediately go to the doctor. Only he will be able to choose the right treatment that will help lower blood sugar and cholesterol to normal levels.
For this purpose, special medications are used. They are selected individually, depending on the age and general condition of the patient. An important point in the treatment of high cholesterol and sugar is diet. In both the first and second cases, she completely excludes from the diet:
- fatty meats and fish;
- fatty and fried foods;
- smoked meats and pickles;
- bakery;
- dairy and fermented milk products with a high fat content (more than 1.5%);
- sweets (sugar, confectionery, chocolate, etc.);
- sweet varieties of fruits and berries;
- alcohol.
Cooking dishes is allowed by steaming or in the oven without using fats. When preparing them, you can use the following products:
- lean meat, lean fish, seafood;
- potatoes (you can consume them in quantities of no more than 200 g per day);
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- onions and garlic;
- greenery;
- green beans;
- cheese and much more.
A more detailed list of permitted products should be provided by your attending physician. If following a diet in combination with medications does not produce positive results, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.
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