Blood glucose is also known as blood sugar. This sugar travels through your body and supplies your cells with energy. The sugar in your body comes from the foods that you eat, and that sugar is transformed into energy. Your body relies on your blood sugar to function, which means your glucose levels should not be too low, or too high.

Testing your blood glucose levels help determine what treatments are working, and it could help you avoid long-term diabetes complications.

Types of Glucose Tests

There are different types of blood glucose tests that you could take. These tests will be used based on a patient-by-patient and scenario-by-scenario basis. The most common blood glucose tests include:

• Glycohemoglobin A1c Test – Normally used to determine if you have diabetes, or to determine if your diabetes treatment has been effective for the past 2 to 3 months.
• 2-Hour Postprandial Blood Sugar Test – Taken 2 hours after you have eaten your meal. This is to test your blood sugar levels, but it is not used to diagnose you with diabetes.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test – Women who are pregnant typically take this test to determine if they have gestational diabetes. It could also be taken to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.
• Fasting Blood Sugar Test – You take this test to determine if you have diabetes, or pre-diabetes. You will need to fast for at least 8 hours before you can take this test.
• Random Blood Sugar Test – This test is used to determine if your blood sugar levels are normal. This test can be taken at various times throughout the day, but it is not used to diagnose diabetes.

Self-Tests

Self-tests are also available. You will use a portable monitor device to test your blood glucose levels. These tests require a small drop of your blood in order to determine your blood sugar levels. Even though you are able to administer self-tests at home, your doctor will advise you on how often you should take these tests. Always remember to wash your hands before you check your blood glucose level.

Purpose of Blood Glucose Tests

You will need to have your blood glucose levels tested to see if you have diabetes. There are also tests that could determine if you are at risk for diabetes. To learn more about the different types of diabetes, click here.

Blood glucose tests not only detect diabetes, but these tests could help you monitor your blood sugar levels. Blood glucose tests have the ability to:

• Determine if your diabetes treatment is effective
• Give you better knowledge of how your diet and exercise is impacting your blood sugar levels
• Determine if stress or illness is affecting your blood sugar levels
• Monitor your prescribed medication, and determine if it is working effectively

Target Levels

When you monitor your blood sugar levels, there are targets that your test results should be in range of. Those targets will vary, based on your age, pregnancy status, diabetes complications and type, in addition to your overall health. Some of the target levels for individuals with diabetes should be:

• Between 90 and 130 mg/dL after you have fasted for at least 8 hours
• Less than 180 mg/dL between 1 and 2 hours after your meals
• Between 70 and 130 mg/dL before your meals

Keeping a Log

When you test your blood glucose levels at home, you should keep a log. Your doctor will need to see this log to determine how well your body is responding to the diabetic treatment plan that has been provided for you.

References:

“Blood Glucose.” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/blood-glucose. Accessed on September 8, 2013.

“Blood Sugar Testing: When, why and how.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-sugar/DA00007. September 8, 2013.

“Checking Your Blood Glucose.” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/checking-your-blood-glucose.html. Accessed on September 8, 2013.