BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING

Glucose is a simple sugar found in food. When in blood, it is called blood glucose or blood sugar. Glucose testing records the level of glucose in the blood at one time, or over a period of time.

Blood glucose tests are commonly used to screen for diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that causes abnormally high blood glucose levels. It is important to detect and control diabetes early, because it can lead to a variety of serious complications over time.

Glucose tests usually require drawing blood from the arm. A nurse or technician can perform this in less than 3 minutes. There is usually only slight discomfort from the blood draw.

A common test is a fasting glucose test. It measures glucose in blood after going 12 to 14 hours without food. The person must also stop taking some drugs, since they can alter the results. A high glucose level obtained on 2 or more tests may indicate diabetes. Other conditions may show low glucose levels. If the person's blood sugar drops too low, weakness, restlessness, hunger, or sweating may occur.

Another test is the 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose test. It is useful when fasting results are borderline. The person eats a balanced meal containing about 100 grams of carbohydrates and then fasts for 2 hours before giving blood. Strenuous exercise and smoking during the fast should be avoided.

An oral glucose tolerance test is still another method used to evaluate borderline cases of glucose problems. The person follows a high carbohydrate diet for 3 days and then fasts for 10 to 16 hours. During this time, any drugs that can alter the test are not taken. At the beginning of the test, the person swallows a standard amount of glucose. The healthcare provider then monitors plasma and urine glucose levels for 3 to 6 hours. A nurse or technician periodically draws a blood sample and collects urine. There may be 4 or more blood draws. The pattern of glucose levels over time helps diagnose diabetes or low blood sugar disorders.

Blood glucose monitoring keeps track of blood sugar results each day. But there is another blood test that should also be used. It is called the glycated hemoglobin test or you may also hear it called A1C or HbA1C. This blood test is drawn in the provider's office. The A1C gives the average blood sugar control for the past 2 to 3 months. It helps you know how well your treatment plan is working. The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping the A1C below 7 percent.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association, call the national office at (800) 342-2383, or visit their website at www.diabetes.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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