Blood Glucose Test - Monitor your Blood Sugar Level

Sugar is an important source of energy, especially for the brain. The amount of glucose in the blood is carefully controlled by the endocrine (glandular) system. This system causes sugar to be stored or used for energy, depending on the needs of your body. The blood glucose test is performed to monitor the level of glucose in the blood and hence detect both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which helps in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The several different types of blood glucose tests performed are as follows:

Fasting Blood Sugar Test (FBS) measures the level of glucose in the body, 8 hours after the last meal. It is the first test performed to diagnose diabetes. The normal range for people with no diabetes is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If the level of glucose in the blood is between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL, this indicates that the patient has a condition known as prediabetes. In such scenarios, the tests are repeated on regular periods and dietary restrictions are suggested to the patient. However, if the level of sugar exceeds 126 mg/dL, then the patient is diagnosed with diabetes.

Random Blood Sugar Test (RBS) measures the level of glucose in the body at any point of time. If the level of sugar is between 140 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL, the patient is diagnosed with prediabetes. If the level of sugar exceeds 200 mg/dL, then the patient is diagnosed with diabetes.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is performed to diagnose Gestational Diabetes which occurs during pregnancy. It is the process of taking a series of blood glucose measurements after the patient drinks a sweet liquid that contains a high quantity of glucose. A normal blood sugar level after an oral glucose tolerance test is lower than 140 mg/dL. If the blood sugar level is 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL then the patient is diagnosed with prediabetes.

Glycated Hemoglobin Test (A1C) is not performed to diagnose diabetes. Rather, it helps evaluate as to how well a patient is managing diabetes. The A1C test reflects the average blood sugar level for an average of two to three months. The test results show as to what percentage is the hemoglobin sugar coated (glycated). The normal range for people with no diabetes is 4 to 6% while the patients with diabetes are requested to maintain the A1C level to less the 7%. However, if the level is greater than 7%, then the patient may need to change the diabetes treatment plan.

The above tests are performed by a laboratory on the blood sample obtained from you. The results are obtained in a few minutes. Glucose levels in urine also can be measured. Many people with diabetes have glucose in their urine. However, the level in the blood must be very high before glucose can be detected in the urine. For this reason, tests for glucose in urine are not used to diagnose or monitor diabetes.

Diabetics must monitor their own blood glucose levels, often several times a day, to determine how far above or below normal their glucose is and to determine what oral medications or insulin(s) they may need. This is usually done by placing a drop of blood from a skin prick onto a glucose strip and then inserting the strip into a glucose meter of a blood sugar tester, a small machine that provides a digital readout of the blood glucose level.

It is important to remember that test results are only a part of a larger picture that has to include your medical history and current health. In case the test results do not return a normal result, it is imperative that you take immediate action and consult a diabetic specialist right away who can guide you with the right treatment and dietary plan.