When you go to a clinic or for a routine checkup , your doctor may have told you, “Come in the morning without eating anything and give some blood to check your sugar, ” right? This is something that many people are familiar with. This is what we call a fasting blood sugar test. Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that everyone can understand.
What is this fasting blood sugar test?
Simply put, this is a very common blood test that measures the amount of sugar ( glucose ) in your blood. However, the special thing about this test is that you have to do this test after you have not eaten or drunk anything for several hours, usually 8 to 12 hours (fasting).
Imagine, when we want to check the water level in a water tank, we turn off all the taps and wait for a while, right? Only then can we know the actual water level in the tank. That's how it is with this. When we eat, our blood sugar level rises. Therefore, when we don't eat or drink for a few hours and then check our blood sugar level , we can see the lowest value that our body's sugar level naturally has, that is, the baseline . This can easily identify whether we have conditions like diabetes , prediabetes , or gestational diabetes.
When should I take this test?
There may be several reasons why your doctor might recommend this test.
- As part of an annual medical checkup: During an annual checkup to learn more about your general health, this test is done to see if there has been a change in your blood sugar levels over time.
- During pregnancy: Some mothers may temporarily develop diabetes due to hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy. This test is definitely done to detect it.
- If you have symptoms of diabetes: If you have symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, weight loss, and delayed wound healing.
- If you have a family history of diabetes: If your mother, father, or siblings have diabetes, it is important to get this test done because you are also at risk.
- If your sugar level was elevated in a previous test: If your sugar level was slightly higher than normal in a previous test, you may be asked to repeat the test to confirm it.
The important thing is that prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can develop in the body without showing any symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, it is very important to have a screening test like this, even if there are no symptoms.
How do you prepare before the test?
Preparing for this is very simple. As your doctor tells you, don't eat or drink anything for 8 to 12 hours .
- This test is usually done in the morning. Therefore, many people do not eat after 8 pm the night before and donate blood for the test around 8 am the next morning.
- It's okay to drink just water. But it's not good to drink anything like tea, coffee, milk, fruit drinks, or sugary drinks. These things can change your test result.
- If you are taking any medications, be sure to ask your doctor for advice on whether or not to take them before the test.
How do I understand the values in the report?
The results of your blood test report are given as a number. In Sri Lanka, we commonly use the unit called milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Accordingly, the values are interpreted as follows.
| Fasting blood sugar level (mg/dL) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Less than 100 mg/dL | Normal – Your sugar level is normal. |
| Between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL | Prediabetes – Blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. This is a warning sign. |
| 126 mg/dL or higher | Diabetes – High blood sugar levels are a major symptom of diabetes. |
If the value in the report is not normal, what should I do next?
It's normal to feel a little scared when you see that the value in the report is not as expected. But don't panic.
If your sugar level is high...
If your blood sugar level is higher than 100 mg/dL, your doctor will not immediately diagnose you with diabetes. They may ask you to repeat the test to make sure the result is correct.
- If the result is 'Prediabetes': This is like a warning, like a yellow traffic light turning on. It means that you have a great opportunity to change your lifestyle. The doctor will give you advice on things like how to control your diet and exercise . If you follow these instructions, you can stay healthy without becoming a real diabetic.
- If the result is 'Diabetes': If the doctor does further tests and confirms that you have diabetes, he or she will start the necessary treatment. Starting treatment early can help prevent the side effects of diabetes (such as heart disease, kidney disease, and vision loss).
If your sugar level is low...
Sometimes your fasting blood sugar level may be lower than 70 mg/dL. For someone with diabetes, this is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). But for someone without diabetes, this can be normal . However, your doctor will ask you if you have had symptoms like shakiness, sweating, or dizziness before. If necessary, they may order more tests to investigate this further.
You may feel anxious and worried before and after the test. But remember, this is an important step in protecting your future health. Whatever the result, talk openly with your doctor about it. He or she will give you all the advice and support you need.
Take-Home Message
- The Fasting Blood Sugar Test is a simple, important blood test used to diagnose diabetes and related conditions.
- You will need to fast for 8-12 hours before the test. You can only drink water.
- A healthy fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL. 100-125 mg/dL is prediabetic (a warning sign). 126 mg/dL or higher may indicate diabetes.
- Don't panic about the test results. Only discuss any results with your doctor to get a clear understanding and know what steps to take next.
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