Diabetes is a metabolic disease where blood glucose (sugar) levels are high because the body cannot make enough insulin and/or is insulin resistant. Insulin helps the body use blood glucose for energy and helps lower blood glucose levels. A fasting blood glucose test is recommended by the American Diabetes Association to identify those with diabetes.
Testing Recommendations
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, testing for diabetes should begin at age 45 for those without risk factors. Testing should be done before age 45 if risk factors are present. Risk factors include being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, having a first-degree relative with diabetes, a high-risk family background, past diagnosis of gestational diabetes, having a baby weighing 9 lbs. or more, high blood pressure, HDL cholesterol level less than 35 mg/dL, triglyceride level greater than 250 mg/dL, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or acanthosis nigricians.
Fasting Blood Glucose Test
A fasting test means not having anything to eat or drink for at least eight hours before the test. It is important not to eat or drink anything since that can raise blood sugar levels and give a false blood glucose reading. Also it is important to remember not to chew gum before the test since there may be a caloric sweetener in it, which can raise blood glucose levels.
Normal Blood Glucose Levels
According to the American Diabetes Association, a fasting blood glucose test with a value less than 100 mg/dL is normal. The National Diabetes Clearing House recommends for individuals with a normal test result to have the fasting blood glucose rechecked in three years.
Pre-Diabetes Blood Glucose Levels
According to the American Diabetes Association a fasting blood glucose test with a value between 100 and 125 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes comes before diabetes and usually does not have any symptoms. The Diabetes Prevention Study found that for people with pre-diabetes who were overweight or obese, losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight helped lower the risk of developing diabetes. Retesting may vary by doctor preference, but it is recommended to be rechecked in at least one year.
Diabetes Blood Glucose Levels
According to the American Diabetes Association, a fasting blood glucose test with a value equal to or greater than 126 mg/dL is considered diabetes. However, it is recommended that the test be redone on a different day to confirm the results of the first test and the diagnosis of diabetes.
References
- “Diabetes Care”; Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus; American Diabetes Association; January 2010
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diagnosis of Diabetes
