Fasting blood glucose helps determine a patient's baseline blood glucose level and is often used as a screening test to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes. Elevated blood glucose can cause a number of different health problems. Consequently, patients with abnormal fasting blood glucose typically need to take steps to lower their blood glucose levels.
Fasting Glucose Test
The fasting glucose test measures the amount of glucose in a patient's blood after he has not eaten for at least six hours. This test is used as a baseline for a patient's blood glucose level. Fasting before the test is necessary because food intake causes a rise in blood glucose, which can make interpretation of tests done without fasting more difficult.
Results
Fasting blood glucose levels are typically given as mg of glucose per dL of blood, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders explains. Normally, people have a fasting glucose of under 100 mg/dL. Patients who have levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL are classified as having pre-diabetes. Anything above 125 is indicative of diabetes. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders notes that a diagnosis of diabetes needs to be done by repeating the fasting glucose test on a different day.
Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes
Patiens with pre-diabetes have levels of blood sugar that are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. These patients have an increased risk of developing type II diabetes. Diabetes can cause a number of complications, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetics are also prone to developing kidney disease and nerve damage. The nerve damage can cause decreased sensation in the extremities and vision problems.
Treatment
There are a number of treatments available to help patients with abnormal fasting glucose levels to manage their blood glucose. Increased physical activity and a diet low in processed sugars can help lower fasting blood glucose levels. Patients may also take certain oral medications that help their bodies utilize glucose more efficiently. Insulin injections can also be used to help patients with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels.
Self Monitoring
Patients with abnormal fasting blood glucose levels typically need to monitor their own blood glucose levels on a regular basis. This can help pre-diabetic patients determine if their condition has progressed to diabetes. It is also important for diabetics because it allows them to determine how well their diabetes is controlled. The fasting blood glucose level, which can be measured in the morning, is a good indicator of the patient's overall control of their blood sugar abnormalities.
