Question

What is the difference between whole blood glucose and plasma glucose levels?

Answer 1

Whole blood glucose is measured in a sample containing all cellular components of blood, while plasma glucose is measured in the liquid part after removing cells. Plasma glucose levels are typically higher due to the volume taken up by blood cells in whole blood. These measurements are crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions like diabetes mellitus, where maintaining normal blood glucose levels is essential.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between whole blood glucose and plasma glucose levels pertains to the medium from which these measurements are taken. Whole blood glucose refers to the glucose level measured in whole blood, which includes red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. On the other hand, plasma glucose is measured in blood plasma, which is the liquid component of blood, obtained after separating these cellular components. Typically, plasma glucose levels are higher than whole blood glucose levels because the cellular components take up some volume in the whole blood sample, thereby causing the concentration of glucose to appear lower when measured in whole blood.

Blood glucose measurements are critical for diagnosing and managing diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, for example, fasting blood glucose levels can illustrate a patient's ability to regulate glucose homeostasis. In standard blood glucose tests, normal fasting levels are around 75 mg/100 ml, but in diabetic patients, glucose tolerance is impaired, and glucose levels may fail to return to normal within the expected time frame after glucose intake, often remaining elevated for an extended period.

Hormone resistance, such as in type 2 diabetes, occurs when target cells do not respond adequately to insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels, even when hormone levels are normal. Treatment can include medication, diet, and sometimes additional insulin. Hormones like insulin and glucagon play vital roles in maintaining blood glucose levels within the normal range over the day as a person alternates between periods of eating and fasting.

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Answer 2

Whole blood glucose includes glucose measurements from all components of blood, while plasma glucose refers to glucose in the blood's liquid portion only, excluding cells. Plasma is obtained by centrifugation and serum by removing clotting factors from plasma. Glucose levels are key in diabetes diagnosis and regulation via hormones like insulin and glucagon.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between whole blood glucose and plasma glucose levels is that whole blood glucose includes measurements of glucose in both the liquid part of the blood (plasma) and the cells (especially red blood cells). Plasma glucose only includes glucose in the plasma, which is the liquid component of blood without the cells. Plasma is obtained by centrifuging the blood and removing the cells, while serum is plasma that has also had the clotting factors removed.

Blood glucose levels are important for diagnosing and managing diabetes, and they vary widely over the day. Hormones such as insulin and glucagon play a critical role in regulating these levels to maintain homeostasis.