What does blood glucose (GLU) mean?
In the medical check-up report, I saw the indicator "GLU" for blood glucose, but I'm not quite sure what it means. Does GLU represent the blood glucose level? How is it different from the commonly mentioned fasting blood glucose? Does an elevated level mean there is a problem with my blood glucose?
Doctor's answer (1)
Blood glucose (GLU) usually refers to the abbreviation for blood glucose, indicating the concentration of glucose in the blood.
Glucose is the primary energy source for the human body, and the normalcy of blood glucose levels directly affects overall health. The normal fasting blood glucose range for a healthy individual is typically 3.9–6.1 mmol/L. If fasting blood glucose exceeds 6.1 mmol/L but does not exceed 7.0 mmol/L, it indicates elevated blood glucose, and attention should be given to dietary control and increased physical activity. The normal blood glucose level two hours after a meal should be below 7.8 mmol/L; if it exceeds 11.1 mmol/L, it may meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes.
When blood glucose levels remain consistently above the normal range, it may indicate diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Conversely, levels below the normal range can lead to hypoglycemia. Understanding blood glucose levels is important for diagnosing diabetes, assessing glycemic control, and preventing diabetic complications. In medical testing, it helps physicians accurately understand a patient's glucose metabolism, enabling disease diagnosis and treatment, and preventing the occurrence of complications.
