A normal blood haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level A normal HbA1c level is below 42 mmol/mol. What is haemoglobin HbA1c? Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that measures your average blood glucose (sugar) level over the past two to three months. It is used a way of diagnosing diabetes and monitoring its control. What is […]
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A normal blood glucose level What is normal blood glucose (sugar)? Normal human blood glucose = 4-6 mmol/L – and less than 8 mmol/L, two hours after a meal. How are prediabetes and diabetes diagnosed? By testing your blood glucose (and HbA1C) levels. Blood glucose in prediabetes and diabetes Prediabetes is diagnosed if your random […]
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A normal blood potassium level Most potassium (98%) in the body is intracellular – with a small proportion in the extracellular compartment. Therefore the blood potassium level only a reflection of the more important (intracellular) level. Normal blood potassium level Normal human blood potassium level is 3.5-5.3 mmol/L. A high blood potassium level (hypokalaemia) is […]
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What controls blood potassium levels? Blood potassium levels are controlled by several mechanisms: Hormonal regulation Aldosterone: Produced by the adrenal glands, this hormone regulates potassium excretion in the urine. High aldosterone levels increase potassium excretion, lowering blood potassium Insulin: Helps facilitate potassium uptake in cells, reducing blood potassium levels. Renal regulation Kidney function: Potassium is […]
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What is the number 1 tip to lose weight? Rule 1 Eat under 2,000 calories a day (or 1,500 if you are a woman), every day. If you do this consistently, you will lose weight. We promise. That’s it.
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A normal blood calcium level? Normal blood calcium level Normal adjusted calcium level is 2.2.-2.6 mmol/L. Note. Normal ionised calcium level is 1.2.-1.3 mmol/L. This is the level reported in an arterial blood gad (ABG). Low calcium level (hypocalcaemia) Hypocalcaemia is defined as an adjusted calcium level of <2.2 mmol/L. Causes include: Hypoparathyroidism Vitamin D […]
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What controls blood calcium levels? Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the body. It is vital for several biological processes including neurotransmission, muscle contraction, hormone secretion and the clotting cascade. Normal adjusted calcium level is 2.2.-2.6 mmol/L. Forms of calcium The average young adult has around 1200g of calcium in their body, 99% […]
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Microalbuminuria – causes, diagnosis and treatment What is microalbuminuria? Microalbuminuria is a condition where there is a small increase in the amount of albumin protein in your urine. It can be an early sign of kidney disease. It is not a diagnosis in itself – it has an underlying cause. The test for microalbuminuria is […]
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A normal urinary ACR level? A ‘normal’ uACR level is lower than 3 mg/mmol. uACR stands for the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio. Albumin is a protein, and this number reflects the amount of protein in the urine. All humans have a little protein in the urine. But if it goes up, its is a sign of […]
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What controls blood sodium levels? It is complicated (very). Essentially, the kidneys, heart/blood vessels, adrenal and pituitary glands work together to regulate sodium levels in the blood. Kidneys Filter sodium from the blood and excrete it in urine Retain sodium when blood sodium levels are low Release water when sodium levels are high. Heart and […]
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