GLUCOSE FASTING

Glucose Fasting Test is a quick test that allows one to measure the level of sugar or glucose in one’s blood after the patient has not taken food for a certain length of time. Usually, this duration is expected to be around eight to twelve hours. This test is a must have when one is faced with blood sugar diseases including diabetes and even prediabetes. It is ideal both for first time patients and ones who have already started treatment and want to see if it is effective for managing blood sugar levels. In short, this test provides information about sugar metabolism and supply in the body required during fasting. By taking this test, one is able to know how much glucose level fluctuations are present in the body during the non eat period. 

This test assesses your blood levels of glucose following a period of fasting. Glucose is the basic carbohydrate that circulates in your blood and supplies energy to the cells of your body. This test is critical in assessing pancreatic function in an overnight fasted person and the body’s response to insulin in that it assesses the control of blood glucose level by the body. 

It is usually done in people who may have high levels of blood glucose such as strong thirst, passing of urine frequently, tiredness and sometimes blurred vision. It is also used for people who have risk factors for development of diabetes, for example people who are fat, doesn’t exercise, have hypertension, have a family history of diabetes of women who had diabetes during pregnancy. It is also done regularly in out-patients especially the elderly to make early diagnosis and management of diabetes and related illnesses. 

The only risk with regards to Glucose Fasting Test is with blood draws, which is a normal procedure, where the person drawn is at risk for minor bruising, bleeding, or based on the professional, some form of an infection may develop at the site. A few people tend to get dizzy or light-headed after they’ve had a blood draw. Aside from this, the only limitation of this test as of now is that it does not seem to measure the variations of the person’s glucose levels throughout the day. Furthermore, this excess change in glucose level can be due to extreme diets, medications or stress and have an impact on results. So it is mostly used with other investigations that evaluate how energetically the body assimilates glucose. 

The Glucose Fasting Test has a core parameter such as non-pregnant women Fasting blood glucose level which explains how adaptive aquaculture in carbohydrates is in this case glucose. High levels of it could suggest disruptions in glucose control which then further imply insulin immunity, pre diabetes and/or diabetes. On the other hand, low levels of glucose at fasting might indicate alternative metabolic diseases such as diabetes. 

The Glucose Fasting Test is suitable for those who show signs of having a high blood sugar level or are susceptible to diabetes. Women from the age of 45 upwards should be advised to have screening as a routine procedure in particular when they are obese. Also, women with a family history of diabetes, or who have had polycystic ovarian syndrome should also have routine fasting sugar level tests to preemptively check for any signs of onset of diabetes. 

A Glucose Fasting Test has so many health benefits that helps one to identify blood sugar levels changes even in the normal ranges that range from unhealthy to controlled this is important in diabetes treatment and management as well as in having other chronic illnesses like heart disease, kidney issues as well as nerve damage. It also helps to measure how well the body utilizes glucose and therefore recommend dietary changes as well as lifestyle changes which in turn will improve his metabolic health. In addition, the test will help to track whether diabetes therapy regimes are working such as medication or changes in the lifestyle that assist glucose management according to the goals. 

The Glucose Fasting Test can help to identify diabetes and also aid in diagnosing other major illnesses like: 

• Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2) 
• Prediabetes 
• Impaired fasting glucose 
• Hypoglycemia 

Requirements: In this case, one has to fast for a minimum time period of 8. However, it is not advisable to consume anything for over 12 hours before the exam. Only pure, colourless water can be taken during this time slot. 

Who is it suitable for: Suitable for the elderly, teenagers and group of people at high risk of having an imbalance of glucose in their body. 

Steps taking the test: To explain, When you reach the hospital, the nurse will take the blood sample for you, most probably from the vein of your arm. It is a pretty simple procedure and takes a minute or so. 

Precautions: Some prescribed medicines alter glucose levels and one should inform the doctor about such medications. Further, try to avoid exercising and any sort of tension before the test.