In the UK, normal usage is Whole Blood, Millimoles/L
|
Situation |
Plasma Glucose |
Whole Blood glucose |
||
|
Millimoles/L |
Milligrams/dL |
Millimoles/L |
Milligrams/dL |
|
|
Lower limit |
5 |
90 |
4 |
70 |
|
Fasting |
7 |
125 |
6 |
110 |
|
Post Prandial |
11 |
200 |
10 |
180 |
Medium term average blood glucose levels are estimated by the "HbA1c" (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) test, which roughly speaking measures the amount of glucose "stuck" to red blood cells. This is measured as a percentage, and should be less than 7. Values of 6 or under are good; non-diabetics will have between 3.5 and 5.5. Although the relationship is not exact, 5.5% HbA1c is roughly equivalent to an average whole blood glucose of 6 mmol/L.
Pretty well everywhere, this is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as the ratio of
Systolic to Diastolic pressure
written as, for example, 140/90, and spoken as “140 over 90”.
Normal level is below 140/90. 130/80 is a good target for diabetics.
The systolic number can be anything from 90 to 240, and diastolic from 60 to 140.
In the UK, normal usage is Millimoles/L
|
|
Millimoles/L |
Milligrams/dL |
|
Total Cholesterol (TC) |
5.2 or less |
200 or less |
|
High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) |
1.2 or more |
50 or more |
TC/HDL Ratio should be 4.5 or less.