November Lab Special: Receive 30% OFF a Glycemic Control Panel

November Lab Special: Receive 30% OFF a Glycemic Control Panel

Why check your glycemic control? Blood glucose is closely related to the amount and type of carbohydrates consumed. Glycemia means glucose or sugar in the blood. High glycemic food can cause a larger rise in blood glucose, which can last for a longer time as well. Low glycemic foods tend to cause small blood sugar rises that don’t last as long.

Obviously, foods with a lot of sugar in them tend to be very glycemic. But people are sometimes surprised to hear that the starches in foods such as potatoes, bread, and grain products are made up of long strings of glucose, so these foods can be as or more glycemic than sugary foods. Also, the more processed a food is, the more glycemic it will be. So, for example, instant oatmeal in the packets is more glycemic than quick-cooking oats, which in turn are more glycemic than steel-cut oats.

For diabetics, glycemic control is a primary goal.

Glycemic Control Panel checks:

Glucose: Glucose is the main type of sugar in the blood and is the major source of energy for the body’s cells. Glucose comes from the foods we eat or the body can make it from other substances. Glucose is carried to the cells through the bloodstream. Several hormones, including insulin, control glucose levels in the blood.

Hemoglobin A1C: A minor component of hemoglobin to which glucose is bound. Abbreviated HbA1c. HbA1c levels depend on the blood glucose concentration: The higher the glucose concentration in blood, the higher the level of HbA1c.

Insulin levels: Insulin is a hormone that lowers the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. It’s made by the beta cells of the pancreas and released into the blood when the glucose level goes up, such as after eating. Insulin helps glucose enter the body’s cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for future use.

Regular: $195  

SPECIAL: $137