Glucose test
Glucose test | |
---|---|
Purpose | estimate blood sugar levels |
Many types of glucose tests exist and they can be used to estimate
Glucose tests can reveal temporary/long-term hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. These conditions may not have obvious symptoms and can damage organs in the long-term. Abnormally high/low levels, slow return to normal levels from either of these conditions and/or inability to normalize blood sugar levels means that the person being tested probably has some kind of medical condition like type 2 diabetes which is caused by cellular insensitivity to insulin. Glucose tests are thus often used to diagnose such conditions.
Testing methods
Tests that can be performed at home are used in blood glucose monitoring for illnesses that have already been diagnosed medically so that these illnesses can be maintained via medication and meal timing. Some of the home testing methods include[citation needed]
- fingerprick type of glucose meter- need to prick self finger 8-12 times a day.
- continuous glucose monitor - the CGM monitors the glucose levels every 5 minutes approximately.
Laboratory tests are often used to diagnose illnesses and such methods include
- fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting plasma glucose (FPG): 10–16 hours after eating[1]
- glucose tolerance test:[2] continuous testing
- postprandial glucose test (PC): 2 hours after eating[1]
- random glucose test
Some laboratory tests don't measure glucose levels directly from body fluids or tissues but still indicate elevated blood sugar levels. Such tests measure the levels of
Use in medical diagnosis
Glucose testing can be used to diagnose or indicate certain medical conditions.[citation needed]
- gestational diabetes. This temporary form of diabetes appears during pregnancy, and with glucose-controlling medication or insulin symptoms can be improved.[3]
- type 1 and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. If diagnosed with diabetes, regular glucose tests can help manage or maintain conditions. Type 1, is commonly seen in children or teenagers whose bodies are not producing enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes, is typically seen in adults who are overweight. The insulin in their bodies are either not working normally, or there is not being enough produced.
- insulin overuse
- starvation
- underactive thyroid
- Addison's disease
- insulinoma
- kidney disease
Preparing for testing
Fasting prior to glucose testing may be required with some test types. Fasting blood sugar test, for example, requires 10–16 hour-long period of not eating before the test.[1]
Blood sugar levels can be affected by some drugs and prior to some glucose tests these medications should be temporarily given up or their dosages should be decreased. Such drugs may include
Some foods contain
Reference ranges
Fasting blood sugar
A level below 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) 10–16 hours without eating is normal. 5.6–6 mmol/L (100–109 mg/dL) may indicate
Glucose tolerance test
Postprandial glucose test
Random glucose test
See also
References
- ^ OCLC 76821700.
- ^ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Glucose tolerance test
- ^ "Is the glucose test during pregnancy optional? - Today's Parent". Today's Parent. 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "How Does Coffee Affect Your Blood Sugar?". WebMD. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
- ^ "Diabetes – tests and diagnosis". Archived from the original on 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2013-12-21.