Glucose: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | |||
*Primary energy substrate for the brain and red blood cells | |||
*Point-of-care (fingerstick) glucose is a bedside test; serum glucose is measured on chemistry panels | |||
==Normal Values== | |||
*Fasting: 70-100 mg/dL | |||
*Random: 70-140 mg/dL | |||
*Hypoglycemia: <70 mg/dL | |||
*Diabetic emergency thresholds: [[DKA]] typically >250 mg/dL; [[HHS]] typically >600 mg/dL | |||
==Interpretation== | |||
*Check fingerstick glucose on all patients with altered mental status, seizures, or focal neurologic deficits | |||
*Hypoglycemia is the most important "do not miss" glucose abnormality in the ED | |||
**Causes: insulin/sulfonylurea use, sepsis, liver failure, adrenal insufficiency, alcohol | |||
**Treat: IV dextrose (D50 or D10), oral glucose if able to swallow safely | |||
*Stress hyperglycemia is common in acutely ill patients and does not necessarily indicate diabetes | |||
*Serum glucose may differ from fingerstick by up to 10-15% | |||
==See Also== | |||
*[[Hypoglycemia]] | |||
*[[DKA]] | |||
*[[HHS]] | |||
*[[BMP]] | |||
==References== | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Labs]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:58, 22 March 2026
Background
- Primary energy substrate for the brain and red blood cells
- Point-of-care (fingerstick) glucose is a bedside test; serum glucose is measured on chemistry panels
Normal Values
- Fasting: 70-100 mg/dL
- Random: 70-140 mg/dL
- Hypoglycemia: <70 mg/dL
- Diabetic emergency thresholds: DKA typically >250 mg/dL; HHS typically >600 mg/dL
Interpretation
- Check fingerstick glucose on all patients with altered mental status, seizures, or focal neurologic deficits
- Hypoglycemia is the most important "do not miss" glucose abnormality in the ED
- Causes: insulin/sulfonylurea use, sepsis, liver failure, adrenal insufficiency, alcohol
- Treat: IV dextrose (D50 or D10), oral glucose if able to swallow safely
- Stress hyperglycemia is common in acutely ill patients and does not necessarily indicate diabetes
- Serum glucose may differ from fingerstick by up to 10-15%