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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Blood Sugar - Blood Glucose Tests

Results and Values

What do the test results mean?

The normal blood glucose levels also vary depending on:

which test was performed

whether a person was fasting before the test

whether any special dietary or glucose substances were given during testing

Increased levels of blood glucose, a condition known as hyperglycemia, may be caused by the following:

acromegaly, a condition that causes elongation of the bones of the limbs and head

Cushing syndrome, a condition in which the level of the hormone cortisol is too high and causes fatigue, weakness, protein loss, swelling, and diabetes mellitus, which is also called DM

diabetes mellitus

diuretics, also known as water pills

gestational diabetes, or diabetes that develops during pregnancy

inadequate therapy for diabetes mellitus

infection in the pancreas, known as pancreatitis

kidney failure, such as chronic renal failure

liver disease, such as cirrhosis

pheochromocytoma, which is a noncancerous tumor that causes an increase in certain chemicals that can cause high blood pressure

steroid medicines, such as prednisone

stress response, including infection, severe burns, or surgery

Decreased levels of blood glucose, a condition known as hypoglycemia, may be caused by the following:

Addison disease, a condition in which there is a decreased amount of the adrenocorticol hormone

blood loss

extensive liver disease

hypopituitarism, a condition in which the pituitary gland does not release enough hormone

hypothyroidism, a condition in which too little thyroid hormone is present in the blood

insulin overdose

insulinoma, which is a tumor in the pancreas that causes too much insulin to be produced

malabsorption, or inadequate absorption of nutrients from the stomach or intestines

starvation

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