Glucose Test - Blood
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Definition
A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood.
Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. Carbohydrates (or carbs) are found in fruit, cereal, bread, pasta, and rice. They are quickly turned into glucose in your body. This raises your blood glucose level.
See also:
Alternative Names
Random blood sugar; Blood sugar level; Fasting blood sugar
How the test is performed
A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture.
How to prepare for the test
The test may be done while you are fasting or at random.
If you are having a fasting glucose blood test, you should NOT eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.
A random glucose test can be done at any time of the day, but results depend on what you drink or eat before the test, as well as your activity.
How the test will feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of diabetes. However, other tests (glucose tolerance test and fasting blood glucose test) are better for diagnosing diabetes.
The blood glucose test is also used to monitor patients who have the diabetes. It may also be done if you have:
- A change in behavior
- Fainting spells
- Seizures for the first time
References
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;32:S11-S61.
Inzucchi SE, Sherwin RS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 248.
Review Date: 5/22/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Random blood sugar; Blood sugar level; Fasting blood sugar
What the risks are
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Special considerations
Many forms of severe stress (for example, trauma, stroke, heart attack, and surgery) can temporarily raise blood glucose levels.
Drugs that can increase glucose measurements include the following:
- Atypical antipsychotic medications, especially olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone
- Beta-blockers (such as propranolol)
- Corticosteroids
- Dextrose
- Epinephrine
- Estrogens
- Glucagon
- Isoniazid
- Lithium
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Phenothiazines
- Phenytoin
- Salicylates (see aspirin overdose)
- Thiazide diuretics
- Triamterene
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Drugs that can decrease glucose measurements include the following:
- Acetaminophen
- Alcohol
- Anabolic steroids
- Clofibrate
- Disopyramide
- Gemfibrozil
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Pentamidine
- Sulfonylurea medications (such as glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride)
References
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;32:S11-S61.
Inzucchi SE, Sherwin RS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 248.
Review Date: 5/22/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Random blood sugar; Blood sugar level; Fasting blood sugar
Normal Values
Up to 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered normal for a fasting blood glucose test.
Persons with levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL have impaired fasting glucose, a type of prediabetes. These levels are considered risk factors for type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Diabetes is diagnosed in persons with fasting blood glucose levels that are 126 mg/dL or higher.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results mean
Higher-than-normal blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) may be a sign of diabetes. In someone with diabetes, it may mean the diabetes is not well controlled.
Increased levels may also be due to:
Lower-than-normal levels (hypoglycemia) may be due to:
References
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;32:S11-S61.
Inzucchi SE, Sherwin RS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 248.
Review Date: 5/22/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: 5/22/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.