Glucose
Also known as: Blood sugar; Fasting blood sugar; FBS; Blood glucose; Oral Glucose Tolerance Test; OGTT; GTT; Urine glucose
Formal name: Blood Glucose; Urine Glucose
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To determine if your blood glucose level is within healthy ranges; to screen for, diagnose, and monitor hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and pre-diabetes
When to Get Tested?
Blood glucose: as part of a regular physical, when you have symptoms suggesting hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, and during pregnancy; if you are diabetic, up to several times a day to monitor blood glucose levels
Urine glucose: usually as part of a urinalysis
Urine glucose: usually as part of a urinalysis
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm or, for a self check, a drop of blood from a skin prick; sometimes a random urine sample is used. Some diabetic patients may use a continuous glucose monitor, which is a small sensor wire inserted beneath the skin of the abdomen that measures blood glucose every five minutes.
Test Preparation Needed?
In general, it is recommended that you fast - nothing to eat or drink except water - 8 hours before having a blood glucose test. In persons with diabetes, however, glucose levels are often checked both while fasting and after meals to provide the best control of diabetes.
