Blood Sugar/Glucose Converter for Diabetes

The blood sugar/glucose conversion calculator helps to convert mmol/L (UK standard) to mg/dL (US standard) and vice versa.

What is the difference between mmol/L and mg/dL?

The blood sugar level is calculated with two different units. They are mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and mmol/L (millimoles per liter) (1^✔).

mmol/L or Millimoles Per Litre: Is defined as the thousandth of the amount of a drug required to produce a specific effect, also used as abbreviation for millimolar (mM). This unit is used in the UK.

mg/dL: Milligrams per 100 millilitres: Metric utilizing in the United States to measure concentration of glucose in the blood - milligram per decilitre.

A normal non-diabetic human being has blood glucose range of between 4mmol/l and 6mmol/l.

Blood Sugar Conversion Formula

The Medindia Blood Sugar Conversion Calculator provides a straightforward method for converting blood sugar levels between mg/dL and mmol/L.

This simple conversion method lets you easily measure your blood sugar level in mg/dL or mmol/L (2).

• To convert mg/dL to mmol/L, you can divide mg/dL by 18 or multiply with 0.0555 to know your blood sugar level in mmol/L (2^✔).
• To convert mmol/L to mg/dL, you can simply multiply mmol/L by 18 to know your blood sugar level in mg/dL (2^✔).

Normal blood sugar

Blood sugar level is the amount of glucose present in the blood. This glucose is obtained from carbohydrates in the food and serves as energy to the body. Glucose is carried by blood throughout the body to reach every cell.

Insulin is an important biological factor in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps to carry glucose from the bloodstream into cells (5^✔).

Blood sugar level varies depending on the time of the blood test. A blood test can be done before eating (fasting), or at random.

• A normal blood sugar level before eating, fasting for 8 hours after your last meal ranges from 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L - 5.6 mmol/L). (3^✔)
• A normal blood sugar level, when the blood sample is taken at any random time is less than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). (4^✔)

Ideal Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

Fasting blood sugar level is the amount of glucose present in the blood after fasting without food for 8 to 12 hours.

• A normal blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL (6^✔).
• When the glucose level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you are at the prediabetic stage. This will eventually develop into diabetes when left untreated (6^✔).
• A blood glucose level of more than 125 mg/dL is diagnosed as diabetes. You must consult a doctor and take the medication to treat the condition before it worsens (6^✔).
• If you are already under treatment and medications, it is necessary to take blood glucose level tests to monitor your blood sugar level (6^✔).

High Glucose Levels(hyperglycemia)

Blood glucose levels greater than 125 mg/dL while fasting and greater than 180mg/dL after eating food are diagnosed as hyperglycemia (high glucose levels). A diabetic condition where the pancreas does not produce any or enough insulin to carry glucose in the bloodstream. It can also be due to poor response by your body to the insulin (7^✔).

When hyperglycemia is left untreated, it can cause adverse effects on the body by damaging the eye, kidneys, nerves, heart, and peripheral vascular system.

Hyperglycemia can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The major risk factors for hyperglycemia are overweight or obesity, having a family history of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, presence of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (8^✔).

Symptoms of high Glucose Level(hyperglycemia)

Hyperglycemia symptoms vary among people with diabetes as many don’t experience any symptoms until their blood glucose level is 250 mg/dL or higher. It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Hyperglycemia can develop into diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) when a high amount of ketones makes your blood acidic (10^✔).

Symptoms of hyperglycemia are:

• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Increased thirst or hunger
• Weight loss
• Skin infections
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination

Low Blood Glucose Levels (Hypoglycemia)

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) is a diabetic condition with a blood sugar level of less than 70 mg/dL. Mild to moderate hypoglycemia can be treated easily. However, severe low blood sugar levels can be detrimental. It can lead to passing out, coma, or death so it has to be treated immediately.

Hypoglycemia is common in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It can be due to the side effects of insulin or other medications taken for the release of insulin from the pancreas. It can have the opposite effect by lowering the blood glucose level. Other causes are not eating enough carbohydrates, fasting too long, and increased physical activity (9^✔).

Symptoms of low blood glucose levels

Low blood sugar levels can be identified with some of the symptoms which can affect your well-being (9). The symptoms can be different for every individual and they are:

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Sweating and shaking
• Getting hungry
• Dizziness
• Irritability or confusion
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Unable to speak clearly
• Seizure and loss of consciousness (severe low blood sugar level)

Methods of Blood Glucose Testing

Blood glucose levels have to be monitored regularly to manage diabetes. There are different methods to measure the blood sugar level with fasting or non-fasting. It can be tested by the individual on their own or get the test done by a professional.

1.HbA1c Test

The hemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c), also known as the glycated hemoglobin test, is used by doctors to measure the average blood sugar level over the past two or three months. The test measures the percentage of red blood cells that are attached to glucose.

The test results are given for the past three months because glucose molecules stick to the hemoglobin until the red blood cells are alive. The shelf life of red blood cells is three months. This test can be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes (11^✔).

2.Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM’s)

CGM is a sensor placed under the skin. It measures the blood sugar level 24 hours a day. The device has a transmitter to send the measured results to a cell phone or a wearable monitor connected to it. This lets you track changes in the glucose level in real-time (12^✔).

3.Finger prick test

Blood glucose levels are measured using a blood sugar meter, strips, and a needle. A test strip is placed into the meter. The side of your finger is pricked with a needle or lancet. The edge of the test strip is placed near the blood drop. The meter displays the blood sugar level on the screen after a few seconds (13^✔). This test can be done at home.

4.Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

The glucose tolerance test measures how the body responds to sugar (glucose). It is also called an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). It is used to check for diabetes during pregnancy. This test is specially used to diagnose type 2 diabetes or prediabetes before any symptoms.

A blood sample will be taken when the person has not eaten for at least 8 hours. Then a drink containing glucose (75 grams) is given to the person undergoing the test. The blood sample is taken every 30 to 60 minutes over three hours (14^✔).

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