Hitachi Developing Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Monitoring Device – Proprietary Technologies Would Take the Pain and Hassle Out of Measuring Blood Sugar Levels -

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Hitachi has conducted extensive research concerning the thermal energy generated by metabolic reactions in the human body, which reflect a balance between blood sugar levels and local oxygen supply. Hitachi has determined that it is possible to compute the level of blood sugar by measuring parameters such as the thermal energy generated by metabolic reactions, the level of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and blood flow.

Hitachi’s investigational device uses special sensors that accurately measure various temperatures and light characteristics in a person’s fingertip. The device is intended to compute blood sugar levels based on the analysis of various physiological parameters involved in the generation of metabolic thermal energy, and would therefore eliminate the need to obtain a blood sample. Hitachi’s device is compact by virtue of the development of a complex sensor pick-up, which contains a contact thermometer, a radiation thermometer, and a multi-wavelength reflective dispersion photometer, all in one unit. Hitachi’s goal is to use these technologies to dramatically improve the quality of life of diabetics by making it, easier to measure blood sugar levels, which would greatly contribute to the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetes. A 2002 survey found that there were approximately 150 million diabetics in the world and it is estimated that there will be as many as 300 million by 2025.1 In Japan, a 2002 survey found that 7.4 million people are strongly suspected to have diabetes.2

Microwave Glucose Sensor for Bloodless Diabetes Monitoring

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For diabetics, the daily routine of pricking their finger to check blood-sugar levels can be an annoying and inconvenient task. But now, a Baylor University researcher has developed an electromagnetic sensor that could provide diabetics a noninvasive alternative to reading their blood glucose levels, and new research shows the sensor works and is effective.

Blood Glucose

All about blood glucose and how it affects your diabetes management

Blood glucose (blood sugar) is a form of sugar produced when the body digests carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Blood glucose is the body’s major fuel for the energy it needs. When insulin is absent or ineffective, the blood glucose level increases. High blood glucose levels can lead to both short and long-term diabetes complications.

The goal in living with diabetes is to keep your blood glucose level as close to normal as possible, as often as possible. That means maintaining a healthy glucose average—and also preventing blood glucose swings that are too high or too low. Keeping in “good control” helps you feel better and reduces the risk of developing diabetes-related complications. “Poor control,” on the other hand, means falling far outside the healthy range for blood glucose. Poor control affects your health in the present, and puts you at higher risk for the long-term complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, eye, kidney and nerve diseases and even death.

The exact glucose target level can vary by person. A person without diabetes generally has an average blood glucose level of around 100 mg/dL. Good control for a person with diabetes before a meal is 90-130 mg/dL. But a number of circumstances can affect your ability to hit even that average. Your physician will give you guidance as to what average would define “good control” for you.

Each day you make choices for your health about what and when to eat, how active to be and so on. Blood glucose testing can be an important part of diabetes management because it can show you how well your choices are working. The results from your blood glucose meter provide immediate feedback, which can help you understand how different factors are impacting your blood glucose levels.

But testing is not just about getting a test result. It’s also about knowing how to interpret each result and how to take action. Your goal should be to keep your blood glucose in the target range recommended by your health care team, and avoid going either too high, which can lead to hyperglycemia, or too low, which can result in hypoglycemia. Once you know your blood glucose level, you can use the information to adjust your food, exercise or diabetes medication, so that you can feel your best. Keeping your blood glucose level as close to normal as possible is one of the best ways to stay healthy and reduces your risk of diabetes complications.

Did you know?
Blood glucose monitoring can be done at any time of the day. But it’s often best to plan on testing at specific times, and perhaps at the same times each day. By tracking your blood glucose results, you can learn a lot about yourself—and if necessary, you can make immediate changes to your diabetes care routine.

A fructosamine test reflects your average blood glucose levels of the last two weeks. An A1c test reflects your average blood glucose for the past 2-to-3 months. Combined, these tests provide valuable feedback for you and your health care team, so you can stay on target.

Stay in range! You’ll feel better and can lower the risk of diabetes complications.

glycemic control

Diabetes India – Diabetes-Monitoring glycemic control

MONITORING GLYCEMIC CONTROL

Optimal glycemic control implies that the blood glucose levels throughout the 24 hours, on each day, are at the target levels determined for each individual patient.

METHODS USED IN MONITORING GLYCEMIC CONTROL

Urine Glucose Testing

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The basis for using glucose tests is the renal threshold for glucose which is roughly correlated with hyperglycemia; thus, urine tests for the presence of glucose, may have a role to play in monitoring glycemic control, if the renal threshold of the patient is normal and stable.
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Unfortunately, some patients with raised blood glucose levels may show no urine glucose, whilst others with a normal blood glucose may show evidence of glucose in the urine.
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Inspite of these limitations, urine glucose testing continues to be widely used to assess diabetes control.
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In patients with a “normal” renal threshold, and being treated with diet alone, or diet and small doses of OHAs, it is desirable to get all the urine samples (pre-and post-prandial) glucose free.
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In patients on insulin, one should try to get all the pre-prandial urine samples free of the presence of glucose.

If urine glucose tests are used to monitor glycemic control, one must be aware of the limitations:

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In many cases, marked hyperglycemia may occur without glucosuria and conversely, significant glucosuria may be seen with euglycemia.
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The urine glucose levels do NOT correspond to the prevailing blood glucose levels at the moment of testing.
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A negative test does NOT distinguish between hypoglycemia, euglycemia and mild to moderate hyperglycemia.
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Urine glucose tests do NOT give warning of impending hypoglycemia.

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Urine glucose testing given its limitations, should NEVER be used alone to assess glycemic control or make changes in the management. If used, it should always be supplemented by periodic blood glucose tests.

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If urine glucose remains consistently very high, one should always check the blood glucose levels immediately.
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Conversely, in the presence of a very high blood glucose values, the urine should be checked for the presence of acetone.

Blood Glucose Testing

Laboratory Blood Glucose Tests

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Along with urine glucose testing, periodic blood glucose testing in the laboratory is the usual method used to evaluate glycemic control.
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It is recommended that such blood glucose tests should be carried out every month, or more frequently if necessary.
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The blood glucose should be estimated in the fasting and/or post-prandial state; a random blood glucose estimation, often, can give valuable information about the immediate status of the patient’s glycemic control.

The usual diet and medications should be continued on the day of the test.

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The method used for the determination must be the glucose oxidase method; many laboratories continue to use the older, and outdated, Folin-Wu or Somogyi-Nelson methods which should be actively discouraged.
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Such occasional blood glucose tests only reflect the PREVAILING blood glucose levels at the PRECISE TIME at which the blood was collected. It CANNOT give a true picture of the ambient blood glucose levels during the intervening period between two tests.
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Thus, such occasional blood glucose estimations do NOT allow accurate assessment of the overall GLYCEMIC CONTROL.

Self Monitoring of the Blood Glucose (SMBG)

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SMBG is one of the most useful methods to assess glycemic control.
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Ideally, all patients should self monitor their blood glucose levels, using test trips and meters which are now available.

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If it is not feasible, SMBG should be carried out by :

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all patients on insulin therapy, especially those on multiple dose regimens;
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patients with widely fluctuating blood glucose levels;
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patients prone to severe ketosis or recurrent hypoglycemia;
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those manifesting hypoglycemia “unawareness”;
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patients in whom a “tight” control is essential, i.e. pregnancy, etc.; during acute illness;
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in the perioperative period;
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those with abnormal renal thresholds.

SMBG measures capillary glucose which gives values around 15% higher than the venous plasma glucose, especially in the postprandial state. The values may be closer in the fasting state.

The routine use of SMBG in NIDDM’S who do not fit into the above categories is controversial, but is generally felt to be advisable, especially if this is feasible.

JUDGING LONG TERM GLUCOSE CONTROL
Glycosylated Hemoglobin (GHb) Estimation

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An excellent test to judge overall glycemic control.
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This gives an idea of the average blood glucose levels over a longer period to time. An optimal level implies adequate control over the previous 6 to 8 weeks.
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Falsely elevated results may be obtained in patients with renal failure and, conversely.
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False low levels in patients who have associated problems with a shortened red blood cell life span.
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Normal values will depend on the individual laboratory and the methodology used.