What Is Normal Fasting Blood Glucose?
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- A normal range is between 70 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dl) and 100 ml/dl.
- Pre-diabetes may be present when the range is between 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl.
- Diabetes occurs when the blood sugar level is 126 mg/dl or higher.
Why Test Blood Glucose?
- To screen for diabetes or pre-diabetes;
- To monitor blood glucose levels in diabetics undergoing treatment, including checking for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Preparing to Take the Test
You will be required to fast for at least 8 hours prior to the test. People who have to take a fasting blood glucose test will often fast overnight, then get the test done first thing in the morning. A blood sample will be drawn and sent for testing.
Factors that Can Affect the Test Result
Eating or drinking in the 8 hours before the test can affect the results. So can stress, illness, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and certain medications.
Test Results
If your test results come back suggesting that you are either pre-diabetic or diabetic, another test will be done (on a different day). If you show signs of diabetes and the test results for both tests are similar, then it is likely that the results are correct.
Sometimes a random or casual blood glucose test is also administered. This test checks your blood glucose level at any time during the day - it doesn't matter when you last ate since blood glucose levels shouldn't normally vary too dramatically over the course of a day. If the result of this random test comes back between 140 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl, it suggests pre-diabetes. Higher than 200 mg/dl suggests diabetes.
Remember that normal fasting blood glucose can be affected by various things, so your doctor will make a diagnosis based on test results (fasting and random blood glucose tests), patient history, and symptoms.
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