Introduction
Fasting blood sugar test is a simple as well as a common blood test. This test is used to diagnose diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. The tip of a finger is pricked with a needle to draw some blood from your arm. It is advised not to consume any water or food 8 to 12 hours before this test. That is why most people do this test early in the morning. A fasting blood sugar test is also known as a fasting blood glucose test.
When does a patient need to go for a fasting blood sugar test
People who suffer from prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes do not observe symptoms in the early stages. A person might suffer from any symptoms of this condition without even knowing it. A fast blood sugar test must be taken under the following conditions:
- Any person who has a body mass index is higher than 23, regardless of the patient’s age. Also, if he suffers from other risk factors such as abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, a history of polycystic ovary structure, a sedentary lifestyle, a heart disease, and a close relative who has diabetes.
- Any person who is older than 45, irrespective of gender, is advised to for a fasting blood sugar test and check whether the results are normal or not. Performers over 45 should go for a fasting blood glucose test every 3 years.
- Women who have gestational diabetes are suggested for a fasting blood sugar test every 3 years.
- Any person who has been diagnosed with pre-diabetes should go for a fasting blood sugar test after every three years.
What is a diabetes blood sugar level and a normal fasting blood sugar
A number in a unit mg/dL indicates a result of the fasting blood sugar test. These numbers indicate the nature of diabetes.
- 99 mg/dL or lower than 99 mg/dL: This blood sugar level is the normal fasting blood glucose level.
- 100 to 125 mg/dL: When the fasting blood sugar test indicates this range, it is typically the stage of pre-diabetes. This means that a person diagnosed with prediabetes has a higher blood sugar level than normal. But the blood sugar level is not high enough to classify your condition as diabetes.
- 126 mg/dL or more than 126 mg/dL: This blood sugar level resulting from the fasting sugar test indicates that the person has diabetes. The patient has a high blood sugar level.
If the patient is suffering from high blood sugar levels, it is advised to repeat this test every 2-3 years. A diagnosed with pre-diabetes should repeat this test every 1-2 years. This is because the test will indicate the results can help patients to know if he is progressing to diabetes type 2.
Tests for type 2 and type 1 diabetes
- Glycated hemoglobin test: This test tells the average blood sugar level for the past three months. It does not require fasting. This test indicates the percentage of blood sugar attached to the hemoglobin. If the A1C level is higher than 6.5%, it indicates that the patient has diabetes. If the level is between 5.7-6.4%, it indicates that the person is suffering from prediabetes, and less than 5.7% is normal. Many people wonder how to increase hemoglobin. It can be increased naturally by eating eggs, dried fruits, broccoli, nuts, seeds, vegetables, soy products, meat, and fish. If the hemoglobin level is less than moderate, it can lower the blood sugar level.
- Random blood sugar test: In this test, a random sample of the blood is taken at any random time. In the result, if the blood sugar level is more than 200 mg/dL, it suggests that the person is suffering from diabetes.
- Oral glucose tolerance test: Overnight fasting is required for this test, and then the fasting sugar level is measured. Then the patient has to consume a sugary drink, and again the blood sugar level is tested in the next two hours. If the blood sugar level results in less than 140 mg/dL, it indicates normal, more than 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes, and between 140-199 mg/dL indicates prediabetes.
Conclusion
A fasting blood sugar level test indicates if the person is suffering from prediabetes, diabetes, and gastric diabetes. These tests are different for pregnant women and a person with uncommon hemoglobin. These tests are random blood sugar tests, fasting blood sugar tests, and oral glucose tests. Tests for gestational diabetes include an initial glucose challenge test and a follow-up glucose tolerance test.
