Blood Glucose Levels

The blood is drawn and tested for the amount of glucose present in one deciliter of blood (mg/dL). The tests must be repeated about two more times on different days for the doctor to actually say that the subject is diabetic.

Fasting Blood Sugar

Subject is asked not to eat anything for about 10 hours (usually overnight), hence the name 'fasting'. The blood is analyzed for glucose. The results are interpreted as follows:
Normal: 70 to 110 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).
Pre-diabetes: 110 to 126 mg/dL The patient is at risk of developing diabetes
Diabetic: 140 mg/dL or greater on two different days
Patients with low glucose levels (40 mg/dL for women, and 50mg/dL for men) may be suffering from insulinoma or other diseases.

Random Blood Sugar

This test is conducted several times during day irrespective of food intake. This test gives the physician an idea how the glucose levels vary. The average level is determined. The normal level is 126 mg/dL. You may have diabetes if the test results in 200 mg/dL or higher. The 200 mg/dL is being considered for change to 180 mg/dL for early detection and intervention by the physicians. The physician will run a Fasting Blood Sugar test if its 200 mg/dL to determine if you have diabetes.

2-hour postprandial sugar: Soon after we ingest food, the blood glucose starts to rise, peaking about one hour after taking the food, then it starts to come down. This test is performed exactly 2 hours after eating a meal. The normal level is 140 mg/dL. Patient is at risk of developing diabetes if the level is between 140 and 200 mg/dL. The 200 mg/dL is being considered for change to 180 mg/dL for early detection and intervention by the physicians.

Oral Glucose test

This is done in a physicians office in a controlled environment by actually ingesting a specific amount of glucose dissolved in water. Blood is drawn at given intervals for three hours and tested. This is a common diagnostic tool for gestation diabetics

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