Answer
At the age of 61 the blood
sugar should be similar to that of normal adult. I would not
be too concerned if the blood sugar may occasionally be
slightly elevated after eating but the blood sugar levels
should return to normal. As we age, the pancreas may
gradually lose the ability to produce insulin and our
insulin receptors lose some function, therefore a person may
become diabetic slowly.
The elderly need to be checked for diabetes at least once per year even if there is no family history of diabetes. if abnormal blood sugar levels are detected, they will need to be observed and tested periodically.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends measuring
fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as the preferred method of
screening because it is more convenient, less expensive and
less invasive than the oral glucose tolerance test
(OGTT).
- An FPG ≥126 mg per dL (7.0 mmol/L) is consistent with the diagnosis of diabetes.
- An FPG 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL demonstrates impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and is consistent with the diagnosis of pre-diabetes. Patients with IFG should undergo an OGTT.
- Patients who have normal fasting plasma glucose but in whom the clinical suspicion for type 2 diabetes remains high also should undergo an OGTT.
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