Glucose – Fasting test
Alternative Names: Fasting blood glucose, Fasting blood sugar
A fasting blood glucose test, which measures the amount of glucose (blood sugar) in the bloodstream, is often done to diagnose or exclude diabetes. You have nothing to drink or eat for 12 hours before the test. Blood is withdrawn through a needle from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow, and sent to a laboratory for analysis. It is important to control blood sugar levels so as to reduce the risk of long-term complications from diabetes such as angina and heart attack (ischaemic heart disease), stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, and poor circulation.
What is it?
A fasting blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. It is called a fasting level because the person is fasting (no food for 12 hours) at the time the specimen is taken.
The blood can be drawn at your doctor’s rooms, a clinic, or in hospital. The analysis is done in a laboratory.
Why is it done?
This test is done to measure the blood sugar level. A fasting blood sugar test is often used when trying to diagnose or exclude diabetes.
What happens?
Before – how to prepare
You need to fast – eat and drink nothing, except water – for 12 hours before the test.
During – how the test is done
A convenient area, where there are prominent veins, is identified and cleaned – the area inside the elbow is often used. A tourniquet or tight band is applied above the area in order to increase pressure and dilate the veins. A needle is then inserted, through the skin, into a vein, and some blood is withdrawn. The needle may cause some pain but this is not usually severe. The blood specimen is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
After the test
You will have a small dressing over the puncture wound, which can be removed after a few hours..
Risks and Compilations
There is a slight risk of excessive bleeding at the puncture site and an even smaller risk of infection.
Special Issues
It well known that good blood sugar control reduces the risk of long-term diabetic complications such as ischaemic heart disease (angina and heart attack), stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, and poor circulation. If you have diabetes it is very important to make very effort to achieve good sugar control.
Short Description
A fasting blood glucose test, which measures the amount of glucose (blood sugar) in the bloodstream, is often done to diagnose or exclude diabetes. You have nothing to drink or eat for 12 hours before the test.
Keywords
Fasting blood glucose, Fasting blood sugar, glucose