Definition - What does fasting blood glucose mean?
Fasting blood glucose is the name of a test used to assess a person's blood sugar level. One of several different tests used to assess the level of glucose in the blood, the fasting blood glucose test is designed to measure a person's baseline glucose level without the interference of food or drink that would present a huge array of variables. This test is conducted after the person has refrained from eating or drinking (anything beyond water) for a period of at least 8 hours. This fasting period is required to allow the body time to fully process any consumed carbohydrates or sugars prior to testing. Fasting blood glucose is also referred to as fasting blood sugar (FBS).
SureHire explains fasting blood glucose
A fasting blood glucose test is often used to determine if a person shows signs of diabetes or glucose intolerance, sometimes called impaired glucose tolerance. A fasting blood glucose test may also be used to diagnose hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or assess the effectiveness of a diabetes treatment plan. Because food and drink directly impact the amount of glucouse in the blood, requiring a person to fast before the blood draw helps to keep the results of the test valid and not complicated by the types of food a person may have recently consumed.
Glucose is the form of sugar that is transported to the body's cells via the circulatory system. Control over blood glucose levels is facilitated by the release of a hormone called insulin. When the body is operating properly, blood glucose levels are maintained in an optimal range. A blood glucose test is used to evaluate a person's blood sugar levels against these predetermined standards.
An individual's blood glucose levels may be assessed as low, normal, or high. Generally, blood sugar levels of 100 mg/dL Milligrams per deciliter) are considered normal. A blood sugar level of 70 mg/dL or lower indicates hypoglycemia.
High blood sugar results are separated into two diagnostic categories. Levels between 100 mg/dL and 123 mg/dL are considered to be an indication of pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher usually results in a diagnosis of diabetes.
