Final answer:
Blood glucose results can indicate either a low or high glucose range, with normal fasting levels being below 100 mg/dL. A level above 125 mg/dL suggests diabetes mellitus, while a glucose tolerance test confirms the diagnosis. Hormone resistance, such as that in type 2 diabetes, results in elevated glucose due to the body's inadequate response to insulin.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering blood glucose results, it's important to understand that these can fall within a low range or a high range, which is indicative of different states of health. Normal blood glucose levels are usually between 70 mg/dL to 130 mg/dL when fasting and can rise up to 140 mg/dL after eating. Levels can be affected by the body's ability to produce and use insulin efficiently. In a fasting state, a glucose level below 100 mg/dL is considered normal. However, if glucose control is compromised, blood glucose may stay higher than normal, known as hyperglycemia or diabetes mellitus; conversely, if levels fall below normal, it's known as hypoglycemia.
The threshold for diabetes diagnosis is a fasting blood glucose level higher than 125 mg/dL. The inability of cells to respond to insulin, a condition called hormone resistance, can lead to type 2 diabetes. In such cases, cells don't take up glucose adequately, which keeps the blood glucose levels elevated. A glucose tolerance test is often used to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, where elevated blood glucose levels are observed. In addition, blood glucose is frequently estimated when diagnosing diabetes, and this estimation is vital for managing the condition. Treatments for diabetes may involve medication, diet changes, and in some instances, the administration of insulin.