1. What is Blood Glucose Conversion?

Blood glucose conversion between mg/dL and mmol/L is essential for healthcare professionals and patients managing diabetes across different regions. The United States primarily uses mg/dL, while most other countries use mmol/L.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard conversion formula:

Where:

• \( mg/dL \) — Milligrams per deciliter (US standard)
• \( mmol/L \) — Millimoles per liter (international standard)
• \( 0.0555 \) — Conversion factor based on molecular weight of glucose

Explanation: This conversion factor is derived from the molecular weight of glucose (180.16 g/mol) and the relationship between the two units.

3. Importance of Blood Glucose Units

Details: Understanding both measurement systems is crucial for international travel, medical literature review, and communication between healthcare providers using different measurement standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter blood glucose value in mg/dL. The calculator will automatically convert to mmol/L. Values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there two different units for blood glucose?
A: Different countries adopted different measurement systems historically. The US uses mg/dL, while most other countries use the SI unit mmol/L.

Q2: What is the conversion factor exactly?
A: The precise conversion factor is 0.05551, derived from: 1 mg/dL = 0.05551 mmol/L based on glucose's molecular weight.

Q3: What are normal blood glucose ranges?
A: Fasting: 70-100 mg/dL (3.9-5.6 mmol/L); 2 hours post-meal: <140 mg/dL (<7.8 mmol/L).

Q4: How do I convert mmol/L back to mg/dL?
A: Use the reverse formula: mg/dL = mmol/L × 18.018 (or simply × 18 for quick calculations).

Q5: Are there other substances that use similar conversions?
A: Yes, cholesterol and other blood chemistry measurements also require unit conversions between conventional and SI units.