Glucose, a simple sugar, serves as the body’s primary energy source, fueling everything from brain function to muscle movement. It enters the bloodstream after carbohydrates in food are digested. Hormones, particularly insulin, regulate blood glucose, ensuring cells receive needed energy. Maintaining balanced glucose levels is important for overall health.
Understanding Glucose Readings
Blood glucose levels are categorized into specific ranges to indicate metabolic health. A normal fasting glucose level is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Levels between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL are classified as prediabetes, signifying elevated blood sugar not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. A fasting glucose reading of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
Beyond fasting glucose tests, the A1C test provides a broader picture of blood sugar control. The A1C test reflects average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin with attached sugar. An A1C below 5.7% is considered normal, while 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher suggests diabetes. Unlike fasting glucose tests, the A1C test does not require fasting, offering a convenient way to assess long-term glucose trends.
Interpreting a Glucose Level of 105
A fasting blood glucose level of 105 mg/dL falls within the prediabetes range. This measurement signals blood sugar levels are higher than normal, though not yet at the threshold for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This indicates impaired fasting glucose (IFG), a form of prediabetes.
Prediabetes means the body is not effectively processing glucose, often due to insulin resistance, where cells do not respond well to insulin, or the pancreas is not producing enough insulin. This elevated glucose level serves as a warning sign, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes also face a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Recognizing a 105 mg/dL reading as prediabetes presents an opportunity for early intervention and lifestyle adjustments to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.
Factors Affecting Glucose Levels
Numerous factors can influence blood glucose readings, potentially contributing to a level like 105 mg/dL. Dietary choices play a significant role, particularly the consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugars, which can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar. Physical activity levels also affect glucose, as exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, allowing cells to absorb glucose more efficiently. Conversely, a lack of physical activity can reduce this sensitivity, leading to higher blood sugar.
Stress, due to the release of hormones like cortisol, can elevate blood glucose levels. Certain medications, such as steroids, may also cause an increase in blood sugar. Sleep patterns, dehydration, and underlying health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can impact glucose regulation.
Navigating a 105 Glucose Result
Receiving a fasting glucose result of 105 mg/dL warrants a consultation with a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis and receive personalized guidance. A doctor may recommend follow-up tests, such as an A1C test, to assess average blood sugar over a longer period, or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to see how the body processes sugar over a few hours. These additional tests provide a comprehensive picture of glucose metabolism.
Lifestyle modifications are the primary interventions for managing prediabetes and can often return blood sugar levels to a healthy range. Adopting a balanced diet that prioritizes whole foods, fiber, and lean protein while limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates is beneficial. Increasing physical activity to at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week can improve insulin sensitivity. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress through techniques like meditation, and ensuring adequate sleep are also important steps to lower blood glucose and reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.