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Last updated on November 2nd, 2023
When you have diabetes, your blood sugar level can remain consistently high over some time. If you ignore diabetes control on time, then it can cause damage to different organs of your body and affect your health. Therefore, it is important to get your blood sugar level checked regularly. When you go for a blood sugar test, you will come across the terms fasting blood sugar test and PP sugar test. Both tests have their own significance in your diabetes reversal.
What Is A Fasting Test For Blood Sugar?
The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, also known as the fasting blood glucose test (FBG) or Fasting Blood Sugar test (FBS test), measures the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood in the fasting state (empty stomach). FBS test full form is fasting blood sugar test which is the most commonly prescribed test for people with diabetes or suspects who have symptoms of diabetes. It is advised not to drink or eat anything for at least 8-12 hours before the test for fasting blood sugar. It will help you get accurate fasting sugar test results.
Read More: HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) A1c Chart, Test, Levels, & Normal Range
Significance of Fasting Diabetes Test
It’s important to get a FBS blood test and a post-fasting test regularly if you have diabetes symptoms. Post-fasting sugar level is always high. When you eat something, the blood glucose levels rise immediately to higher levels and go down after some time. It happens because when you eat something, carbohydrates (carbs) get broken down into a simpler substance called glucose (sugar). Those sugars enter the mainstream of your blood and increase blood sugar levels. At the same time, your body releases insulin, which prompts the cells to absorb sugar from your blood. Fasting triggers the production of a hormone called Glucagon, which increases the body’s glucose levels. If a person is non-diabetic, their body will produce insulin, which will rebalance the blood glucose levels. However, a person with diabetes will not produce enough insulin or be able to use insulin effectively. As a result, fasting blood sugar level will not be rebalanced. Consequently, the blood sugar levels will be higher in a person with diabetes than in a non-diabetic person. The purpose of the fasting blood glucose test or FBS test is to know how your body is maintaining sugar levels. Blood sugar levels between meals provide a picture of how your body manages the sugar levels. If a person is either type-1 or type-2 diabetic, then their body will not produce or use insulin. Thus, it is easier to know if the person is diabetic or prone to diabetes through fasting blood sugar level.
Read More: How to Use a Glucometer to Monitor Your Blood Sugar Level?
Normal Range of Fasting Blood Sugar
The normal fasting blood sugar range is not the same for everyone. People who don’t have diabetes, prediabetes, or diabetes have a different normal range for fasting blood sugar. You should know your normal range when you go for the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG test). It will help you and your doctor to understand whether you are required to control your empty stomach sugar levels or your body is responding fine to Insulin production. The results of a normal fasting blood sugar test concerning your body’s glucose levels are as follows:
- Normal adults:
The fasting blood sugar normal range for adults is 60-90 mg/dL. It means that your pancreas is properly secreting insulin, and your body is effectively responding to its functionality. However, your blood test reading depends upon what you ate last.
- Pre-diabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance:
If you are prediabetic, then your normal blood glucose level while fasting will be 100-125 mg/dL. Getting the blood sugar test results on a bit higher side doesn’t mean that you will automatically develop type-2 diabetes. Instead, you must take precautions to control your fasting blood sugar level.
- People With Diabetes:
The normal fasting blood sugar for people with either type-1 or type-2 diabetes is 126 mg/dL or higher. For such fasting blood sugar, your doctor will diagnose you with type-1 or type-2 diabetes, and accordingly, you will be advised for regular blood glucose monitoring, medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
- If your fasting plasma glucose levels are on the borderline or indicate that you have diabetes, then you will need to repeat this test in the future to monitor your blood glucose levels. There are a few other tests including postprandial plasma (pp) sugar test, hemoglobin A1c test, or oral glucose tolerance test, which are done along with fasting sugar test. You should have an open conversation with your doctor regarding the readings of your FBG test to know the next step you need to take.
Read More: Check Diabetes Test & Blood Glucose Normal Values, Procedure and Cost.
Risks With Low Fasting Blood Test Results
If your results of blood test for normal sugar level before fasting is in the normal range then you don’t need to worry as you are on the safer side. However, you may have low blood sugar or hypoglycemia if your FBG reading is below 55mg/dL. Low blood sugars can develop conditions like pancreatic tumours, malabsorption syndrome, or liver and kidney inefficiency. Apart from these severe health issues, you will also feel weakness, fatigue, irritated, sweaty and nauseous if don’t get a fasting sugar normal range.
Read More: Measuring Sugar in Urine: Know About Test Procedure and Result.
Preparation For The Fasting Diabetes Test
If you are going for the fasting blood sugar level test, you must ask your doctor about the fasting blood sugar test preparation and follow the instructions. It will help you to get accurate results of your fasting blood sugar level. You are recommended not to eat or drink anything for some hours or overnight before you take this test. Generally, it requires fasting of around 8-10 hours; therefore, many people prefer to get this test done early in the morning. Apart from fasting correctly, there is no other special preparation required if you are going for the fasting blood sugar test. Tips To Follow To Take Fasting Blood Test There are a few things to remember if you are going for the fasting blood test for diabetes. These include:
- Keep drinking water to stay hydrated. Water does not affect the fasting sugar normal range because it does not contain carbs that broke down into sugar. Therefore, it is acceptable if you are drinking water.
- It is essential to keep in mind the times when you can eat or drink before the FBS blood test. You are supposed to fast for at least 8 hours for a fasting blood test. If you have taken your last meal at 10:00 PM, then you should go for the test at around 6:00 AM.
- You should not skip your regular medication for fasting glucose tests. You can take your medicines unless your doctor has told you to avoid them.
- Fasting is safe for pregnant women. Still, you can ask your doctor about fasting before the FBS blood test and get proper advice to get your blood test done safely.
Sample Collection For FBG test
The doctor checks blood sugar level with a glucometer.
- Pathology health care provider initiates the FBS blood test procedure by cleansing the intended area with antiseptic lotion.
- An elastic band is applied to your upper arm, promoting vein engorgement.
- The skilled health care provider locates an appropriate vein and inserts a sterile needle.
- Blood extraction starts using a syringe, which is subsequently transferred into an airtight glass container.
- You may experience mild discomfort upon needle insertion, but it should diminish within minutes when you relax your arm.
- To prevent bruising, the health care provider applies a sterile bandage to the puncture site.
Performing a diabetes fasting blood sugar test at home using a glucometer involves the following steps:
- Begin by pricking your finger to produce a small drop of blood.
- Place this drop of blood onto a designated testing strip.
- Insert the testing strip into the glucometer machine.
- Wait for the machine to process the blood sample and display the fasting blood glucose results.
Read More: Diagnose Diabetes Mellitus with Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.
Cost of Fasting Blood Sugar Test
The cost of Postprandial and fasting blood sugar test is very nominal. On average, the cost of a fasting diabetes test is around Rs 50, while the average cost of a PP blood sugar test is Rs 150. There are diabetes test kits available in the market if you want to get your blood glucose test done at home. You can invest one time in such type of fasting blood sugar test kit and monitor your fasting and post-meal glucose level at home. The average starting price of such kits is Rs 1000, including the price of testing strips. Blood sugar test strips are also available separately at an average cost of Rs 500 for 50 strips.
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FAQ’s:
Can I book the fasting blood glucose levels test online?
What to do if your fasting glucose levels are higher?
If you have never got your blood sugar levels checked earlier but your fasting glucose test report shows that your blood sugar levels are higher than the fasting blood sugar normal range then you should immediately consult your doctor. Right medications and timely diabetes management help in maintaining your health.
How long does it take to get the test report?
If you are getting your fasting blood glucose levels checked at home with the help of a glucometer then you can get the results within few seconds. If you want a Fasting blood test done at pathology then it may take around 24-hours to interpret the results.
Are there any risks in taking a test for fasting blood sugar?
A fasting blood test for diabetes is a simple test. No severe risks are there in taking this test. However, some people experience pain at the puncture site. There can be bleeding also but for some time which may last few minutes.
Who can go for the fasting blood test done?
Anyone who wants to monitor his/her blood sugar level or advised by the doctor after experiencing symptoms of low or high blood sugar can go for this test.
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