Quick Facts
- Sample: 1 mL refrigerated serum (blood draw)
- Fasting: 8+ hours required
- Turn-around: 1-3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early diabetes detection - Identify prediabetes and diabetes before symptoms develop
- Cost savings - Save up to 85% compared to traditional lab testing
- Enhanced reporting - Detailed graphs, charts, and clinical reference ranges
- Convenient access - No physician referral required for direct-to-consumer testing
- Confidential results - HIPAA-protected results delivered directly to you
- Cardiovascular insights - Assess metabolic health as part of heart disease risk evaluation
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults aged 35+ seeking routine diabetes screening
- Individuals with family history of diabetes or metabolic disorders
- People with obesity, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular risk factors
- Those experiencing symptoms like frequent urination or excessive thirst
- Health-conscious consumers wanting proactive metabolic monitoring
- Anyone tracking treatment response or lifestyle intervention effectiveness
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Fast & Schedule - Fast for 8+ hours (water only) and visit any participating lab location
- Quick Blood Draw - Trained phlebotomist collects 1 mL blood sample using standard venipuncture
- Receive Results - Get detailed Cardio IQ report
FAQ
What does this test measure? Blood glucose levels using spectrophotometry methodology to assess carbohydrate metabolism and insulin function.
How long do I need to fast? At least 8 hours before testing, consuming only water during the fasting period.
What's the difference between Cardio IQ and standard glucose testing? Cardio IQ provides enhanced reporting with detailed graphs, charts, and comprehensive clinical reference ranges.
Can I take my regular medications? Continue regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
How accurate is this test? High precision using spectrophotometry with analytical standards requiring ≤2.4% imprecision and ≤2.1% bias (American Diabetes Association 2023).
Should abnormal results be confirmed? Yes, diabetes diagnosis requires confirmation with repeat testing on a separate day (ADA Standards 2024).
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Cardio IQ Glucose Blood Test measures blood glucose concentrations to provide comprehensive insight into carbohydrate metabolism, insulin function, and overall glycemic control. This specialized diagnostic tool uses spectrophotometry methodology for enhanced precision and accuracy compared to standard glucose testing.
The test serves as a critical screening tool for diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance while contributing to cardiovascular risk assessment. With 38.4 million Americans having diabetes and 8.7 million being undiagnosed, this test enables proactive health monitoring and early intervention (CDC National Diabetes Statistics 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
Adults aged 35 and older should consider routine screening, particularly those with risk factors including obesity, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or sedentary lifestyle (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force 2021).
Individuals experiencing symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained fatigue, or blurred vision should seek testing regardless of age. The test is also valuable for those monitoring treatment effectiveness or tracking metabolic health over time as part of preventive care strategies.
When should I order Cardio IQ Glucose Blood Test?
Order this test for routine screening every 3 years beginning at age 35, or more frequently if you have risk factors (American Diabetes Association Standards 2024).
Consider testing if you experience diabetes symptoms, have abnormal previous results, or want to monitor treatment response. Schedule early morning appointments to minimize fasting inconvenience and ensure optimal sample quality for accurate results.
How do I interpret the results?
Glucose Level: Less than 100 mg/dL
- What it means: Normal glucose metabolism
- Typical action: Continue healthy lifestyle; retest every 3 years
Glucose Level: 100–125 mg/dL
- What it means: Prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose)
- Typical action: Lifestyle modifications; annual follow-up testing
Glucose Level: 126 mg/dL or higher
- What it means: Diabetes (requires confirmation)
- Typical action: Immediate physician consultation; repeat testing
Diabetes diagnosis requires two separate test results ≥126 mg/dL or symptoms plus one elevated result (Mayo Clinic Glucose Guidelines 2024).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for at least 8 hours before testing, consuming only water during the fasting period. Continue taking regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider. Schedule early morning appointments to minimize fasting difficulty and inconvenience.
Avoid smoking, chewing gum, and exercise during the fasting period as these activities can affect glucose levels. Proper preparation ensures accurate results and reliable interpretation of your metabolic health status.
How often should I get tested?
- Normal results, low risk: Suggested interval: Every 3 years
- Prediabetes diagnosis: Suggested interval: Annually
- High risk factors present: Suggested interval: Every 1–2 years
- Diabetes management: Suggested interval: As directed by physician
- Treatment monitoring: Suggested interval: Every 3–6 months initially
Why early detection matters
Early diabetes detection and intervention can save $2,688 per patient over five years through reduced healthcare costs, with screening programs demonstrating cost-effectiveness within two years (Economic Impact Studies 2023).
Prediabetes affects 96 million American adults, with more than 84% unaware of their condition (CDC Prediabetes Statistics 2024). Early identification enables lifestyle interventions that can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes progression and associated complications.
Related tests you may consider
Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c Blood Test - Calculates the average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, making it an ideal diagnostic tool for diabetes management.
Cardio IQ® Insulin Resistance Panel with Score Blood Test - Gives you information to change or avoid becoming diabetic or prediabetic.
Glucose Tolerance (GTT) Blood Test, 2-Hour (Oral WHO Protocol) - Checks how your body handles sugar over two hours by measuring blood sugar after drinking a sugary drink, helping doctors find or manage diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes.
