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  Discussion on Normal blood glucose reading
Author Message
Member:
rockin

Posted on Friday, Dec 28, 2007 - 2:48 pm:

Dr. O, what is a normal blood sugar reading in a horse (in mml)? This probably sounds like an odd question, but I have a lot of experience with diabetes (human and canine) and I was just curious what "normal" is in a horse.

For example, in humans, 4-10 is considered in fairly normal range, and for dogs, 5-12 is OK. I tested my mare out of curiosity last night, and her reading was consistently around 2.5 (2.4, 2.6, then 2.8). She had just finished her "supper" (small amount of grass hay), so I was really surprised at the low number!

For those of you who don't know what a blood glucose test is like, don't worry! I didn't subject her to anything painful (in fact, she didn't even notice...) It's just a TINY lancet, as you only need a DrOp of blood to perform an accurate measure.

Anyways, just curious, and I can't seem to find this answer online!
Member:
rockin

Posted on Friday, Dec 28, 2007 - 3:02 pm:

Oh, I think I may have found an answer (not sure if it's the "correct" one). I found a website with AC1 readings in horses as 70 (low) to 160 (high), which would be about 4 mml - 9 mml (divide by 18 to convert). Correct? Hmm... if this is the case, she's quite low... odd!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Dec 29, 2007 - 10:29 am:

Erin, like in humans a one time glucose reading can vary widely and the reason why diabetes is best assessed with a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) or more recently the fructosamine test. That said you can find values at References ยป Equine Vital Signs and Laboratory Values. Look to the side for conversion factors. Recently someone looked at the use of human at-home glucometers in horses and did not find them reliable and the way they were off varied.

Note that there is also a problem with field glucose testing if sent to a lab. The RBC's in the tube continue to metabolize the glucose in the tube so if not quickly refrigerated and run will be artificially low.
DrO
Member:
rockin

Posted on Saturday, Dec 29, 2007 - 11:29 am:

Dr. O, the tests were about 30 min apart each, but I agree, I would have to do a lot more testing for it to mean anything. I was just curious.

The glucometer that I use had excellent results in testing canine blood glucose, when compared to animal meters and also when compared to A1C values (my small animal vet clinic has their own lab and so we did some experimenting for the sake of knowing how accurate we were testing).

I don't know if it is accurate for horses, but I would be curious to know! It would probably be a very valuable thing to know... right now I can't remember the exact model/brand of the meter (we have a few around, this one's for the animals).

As for lab results, I just run all blood tests down to one of our Universities to have tests done within about an hour or two, and cool them on the way. Lucky us, to have such easy access to labs!

Thanks for the reference, I will give it a look.
New Member:
peibert

Posted on Friday, Feb 6, 2009 - 8:09 pm:

Dr.O,Can you tell me what the normal insulin level of a horse should be.When the vet saw our 10 year old arabian/connemara gelding who is in good health she noticed fat deposits on his neck and rump that she said could indicate cushings synDrOme. She took a blood sample and later told us he was negative for cushings but his insulin level was to high (107) and that he is insulin resistant.He had just eaten his dinner (pellets) and some apples and carrots within 2 hours before she drew the blood and I was wondering if this could have affected the blood test.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 - 8:38 am:

Welcome Peter,
Insulin assays vary quite a bit from lab to lab so results must be compared to your lab's normals and not having the units makes evaluation of your numbers difficult. As stated in the article for results to be valid samples must be taken after 12 hours of fasting. I have edited the diagnostic section of the article and included some examples that should help you.
DrO
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