Blood Glucose

Question
Hi,

I recently had blood work done and my blood glucose was 102.  My other lipid levels were all good. My HDL was 71 and my Triglicerides was 65.  I'm a daily jogger averaging 40 miles/week.  I live in Florida where the temps are in the 80's and 90's.  I was a little concerned with my blood glucose as I would like it to be in the 80's or 90's.  But I was told 102 isn't bad and, because I'm a jogger in a warm climate, it is desirable to have it a little higher.  Should I be worried, at all, with a blood glucose of 102?  Thanks.

Answer
Interesting question, Dan.  It sounds as though you are extremely fit, and have a very favorable HDL and triglyceride level.

It is a bit hard to say what to make of the glucose level.  For starters, as you undoubtedly know, it has to be a fasting level, and it might be worth repeating it at some point with a fasting test before drawing too many conclusions from a single value.  And it really is not high, so it probably is not something to be overly concerned about, but watch in the future.

Having said that, there is more data in recent years about glucose and its effects on the body.  Lots of data is pointing to the advantages of lower glycemic index food, lowing the "surges" of glucose and insulin that result from eating larger, and higher carbohydrate content meals.  We should all eat smaller meals with less carbohydrates, it appears.  My suspicion is that you are eating a healthy diet and focused on fitness, have a very impressive exercise regimen, and don't have too many areas to improve.  But if you think about your diet and can identify excess carbohydrate, then that is a place to cut back, especially on the refined sugars in desserts and sweets, as well as simple ones like potatoes that lead to an early blood glucose rise.  For people who are overweight, then it is a good reason to work on losing weight, but it does not sound like that applies to you.

Most of the research on this subject applies to people with far higher fasting blood glucose levels, but it is something to follow down the road.  If it creeps upward over the years, then I would recommend you sit down with an endocrinologist to discuss its ramifications.  But at this level, aside from the ideas I discuss here, I would not worry too much about it.

Best wishes and good luck on your running.

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