Diabetes Information

Compared to non diabetics, diabetics have a two- to threefold risk of dying prematurely of atherosclerosis. Because of this increased risk, diabetics must be extremely aggressive in reducing the risk factors linked to heart attacks and strokes. Foremost is attaining as normal a blood glucose reading as possible and reducing blood cholesterol levels.
The binding of glucose to proteins, a process referred to as glycosylation, leads to changes in the structure and function of many body proteins. Glycosylated proteins are elevated several fold in diabetics and contribute to all of the major chronic complications of diabetes (heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve disease). For example, damage to glycosylated LDL-receptors in the liver prevents the feedback mechanism that tells the liver to shut off cholesterol synthesis.
Diabetics need to monitor their blood sugar levels closely to insure good control. They will also need to monitor their glycosylated haemoglobin. This test is used for monitoring blood sugar levels over a long period. Normally about 5% to 7% of haemoglobin is combined with glucose. Since the average life span of a red blood cell is 120 days, the HgbAlc assay represents time-averaged values for blood glucose over the preceding two to four months, thus providing a simple, useful method for assessing treatment effectiveness in blood sugar control over a longer time period. Diabetics should strive to keep the HgbAlc in the normal range (5% to 7%). Mild elevations in blood sugar over time results in an HgbAlc concentration of 8% to 10%, while severe elevations may result in concentrations up to 20%.

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Filed under: Understand Diabetes