GLUCOSE FASTING

Description

GLUCOSE FASTING

What is a blood glucose (sugar) test?
A blood glucose test is a blood test that mainly screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood.

There are two main types of blood glucose tests:

Capillary blood glucose test: A healthcare professional collects a drop of blood — usually from a fingertip prick. These tests involve a test strip and glucose meter (glucometer), which show your blood sugar level within seconds.
Venous (plasma) blood glucose test: A phlebotomist collects a sample of blood from a vein (venipuncture). These glucose tests are usually part of a blood panel, such as a basic metabolic panel. The provider will send the samples to a lab. There, a medical laboratory scientist will prepare your samples and perform the test on machines known as analyzers.
Venous blood glucose tests are generally more accurate than capillary blood glucose tests.

Healthcare providers often order fasting blood glucose tests to screen for diabetes. Since eating food affects blood sugar, fasting blood glucose tests show a more accurate picture of your baseline blood sugar.

There’s also at-home blood sugar testing (using a glucometer) for people who have diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes especially need to monitor their blood sugar multiple times a day to effectively manage the condition. Continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs) are another option for this.

What is blood glucose (sugar)?
Glucose (sugar) mainly comes from carbohydrates in the food and drinks you consume. It’s your body’s main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all of your body’s cells to use for energy.

Several bodily processes help keep your blood glucose in a healthy range. Insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes, is the most significant contributor to maintaining healthy blood sugar.

If you have elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), it usually indicates diabetes. Diabetes develops when your pancreas doesn’t make any insulin or enough insulin or your body isn’t responding to the effects of insulin properly.