Fasting Glucose

This lab test measures your blood sugar. It is important as it can help diagnose diabetes mellitus as well as evaluate how you are doing on treatment for diabetes.

Fasting Glucose Overview

Reviewed: April 21, 2014
Updated: 

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar (glucose) in a sample of your blood. A fasting glucose test is done on a person who has not had anything to eat or drink at least 8 hours prior to the test.

Fasting glucose is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

A normal range for fasting glucose is between 70 and100 mg/dL

Technique

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Blood draw

Preparation

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Fasting 8 hours before the test is usually required.

Water intake is allowed.

What the results mean

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A level of 100-125mg/dL means you have impaired fasting glucose (IFG), a type of prediabetes. This increases your risk for type 2 diabetes.

A level of 126 mg/dL and higher most often means you have diabetes.

A level below 70 mg/dL is considered low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).