Diabetics should always monitor their blood sugar levels. But at what level exactly do you need to inject diabetes? And when does it become dangerous?
Over four million adults in Germany have to regularly measure their blood sugar levels, and some of them then have to inject themselves with insulin based on their values. Most of them are type 2 diabetics, some are also type 1 diabetics, and some have other forms of diabetes, such as double diabetes. The symptoms are different and also differ between men and women.
Insulin lowers blood sugar levels to normal levels, thus preventing the serious consequences that high blood sugar levels can have. But exactly at what level should diabetics inject insulin? And at what level does blood sugar become dangerous?
Diabetes: What blood sugar level is normal?
As the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) explains, in a healthy person the fasting blood sugar level, that is, after approximately eight to ten hours without eating, is between 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l) and 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol). adult without diabetes /l). Both of these units can be used to measure blood sugar. If the value increases it is a sign of diabetes.
Mg/dl stands for “milligrams per deciliter”, mmol/l stands for “millimoles per liter”, so mmol/l is much more commonly used than mg/dl. If you specify blood sugar in mg/dl, you are referring to the weight of dissolved sugar particles per volume. Instead, the unit mmol/l calculates the number of dissolved sugar particles, i.e. the amount of substance, per volume.
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Diabetes: at what level does blood sugar become dangerous?
To convert between the two units you need the number 18.016. If you want to convert a mg/dl amount to mmol/l, divide the amount by 18.016. If you want to convert a quantity from mmol/l to mg/dl, you must multiply the quantity by 18.016. An example:
Blood sugar: 110 mg/dl
In mmol/l: 110 : 18.016 = 6.1
Blood sugar: 6.1 mmol/l
A blood sugar level between 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l) and 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l) is that of a healthy adult. If your blood sugar level goes above a certain level, it is a strong sign of diabetes. According to the Diabetes Information Portal, values range between 100 and 125 mg/dl (5.6 and 6.9 mmol/l). diabinfo.de talk about prediabetes. Starting from a blood sugar level of 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) we speak of diabetes.
High blood sugar: when should diabetics inject insulin?
Editorial note: The information provided here is indicative only. Please consult your doctor before taking insulin.
Many type 1 and type 2 diabetics must inject insulin daily to lower their blood sugar levels and thus stay out of the danger zone. But when should you actually inject insulin if you are diabetic?
To know how much insulin you need to give yourself and when, target values are crucial. Like the healthcare portal Enable me states that the target value for healthy people is between 60 and 100 mg/dl in the fasting state and between 90 and 140 mg/dl after meals. In type 1 diabetics the values are higher, from 90 to 120 mg/dl on an empty stomach and from 130 to 160 mg/dl after meals. They are even higher in type 2 diabetics, where the values are between 100 and 125 mg/dl on an empty stomach and between 140 and 199 mg/dl after meals.
The goal is to reach target values with diabetes injections. To know how many units of insulin you need to give yourself, it’s important to know your body. The effect that insulin has on blood sugar varies from person to person. You should definitely talk to your doctor about it. Typically, one unit lowers insulin, according to the Diabetes Portal diabetes-news.de blood sugar level of 30 mg/dl (1.6 mmol/l).
Diabetes: at what point is blood sugar dangerous?
If blood sugar rises too high or too low, it becomes dangerous. In these cases we speak of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. According to the diabetes information portal diabinfo.de, we are talking about mild hyperglycemia with values up to 250 mg/dl. In this case, you should directly give yourself insulin to lower your blood sugar level.
It becomes really dangerous when the blood sugar level exceeds 250 mg/dl. In these cases we speak of severe hyperglycemia. In this case it is necessary to act quickly, since severe hyperglycemia can, in the worst case, lead to diabetic coma. Insulin must be administered immediately.
Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar level is below 70 mg/dl. In this case the body does not need insulin, but sugar. If hypoglycemia occurs, you should quickly consume carbohydrates that enter the blood quickly. Dextrose plates are useful here.
The blood sugar values mentioned are suitable for orientation and can help you get a rough idea of your sugar balance. Ultimately, however, every patient is different and therefore often has to set different values. Patients should discuss what these values are with their doctors and act accordingly.
By the way: There are early signs of diabetes that should make you suspicious. The signs of type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ only slightly.
