Blood Sugar Testing

Question 1

What is a blood glucose test?

Answer 1

measures the amount of a type of sugar, called glucose, in your blood.

Question 2

Fasting blood sugar?

Answer 2

measures blood glucose after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours
- It is often the first test done to check forprediabetesanddiabetes.

Question 3

Random blood sugar?

Answer 3

measures blood glucose regardless of when you last ate.
- Several random measurements may be taken throughout the day
- Random testing is useful because glucose levels in healthy people do not vary widely throughout the day
- Blood glucose levels that vary widely may mean a problem
- This test is also called a casual blood glucose test.

Question 4

2-hour postprandial blood sugar test?

Answer 4

measures blood sugar exactly 2 hours after you start eating a meal
- This test is most often done at home when you have diabetes
- It can see if you are taking the right amount of insulin with meals.

Question 5

Hemoglobin A1c test?

Answer 5

The A1c test can be used to estimate your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months.

Question 6

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)?

Answer 6

commonly used to diagnose diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

Question 7

How do you prepare for fasting blood sugar test?

Answer 7

• For a fasting blood sugar test, do not eat or drink anything other than water for at least 8 hours before the blood sample is taken.
• If you have diabetes, you may be asked to wait until you have had your blood tested before you take your morning dose of insulin or diabetes medicine

Question 8

How do you prepare for random blood sugar test?

Answer 8

No special preparation is needed before having a random blood sugar test.

Question 9

How do you perform a blood sugar test?

Question 10

What are the recommended blood sugar levels?

Answer 10

Between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals
Less than 180 mg/dL after meals