Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required.
- Turnaround: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
This test measures the amount of glucose (blood sugar) present in your blood at the time of collection, using a fasting plasma sample. Because you fast for 10-12 hours beforehand, the result reflects your baseline glucose level rather than a snapshot taken after eating.
A fasting glucose reading is a single-specimen, current measurement. It does not reflect your average blood sugar over weeks or months, and it is not a longer-term glycemic marker.
Benefits
- Provides a fasting glucose reading from a single blood sample.
- Helps you and your provider evaluate current blood sugar levels.
- Supports ongoing monitoring for people managing diabetes.
- Convenient, standalone test you can order and schedule easily.
- Delivers results online within the stated turnaround window.
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing frequent urination or excessive thirst.
- Individuals noticing unexplained weight loss or increased hunger.
- Anyone with blurred vision or slow-healing cuts and wounds.
- People experiencing ongoing fatigue or irritability.
- Individuals wanting to check their current fasting glucose level.
- People with diabetes monitoring blood sugar as part of routine care.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required before this test. Plan your appointment for the morning if possible, and avoid eating or drinking anything other than water during the fasting window.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 1-2 business days. Timing may take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays, so build in some flexibility when planning around your results.
3. What can my results tell me?
A fasting glucose result reflects how much sugar is circulating in your blood after a period without food. It offers a single point-in-time reading that can support screening or ongoing monitoring, depending on why your provider recommended it.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Not fasting for the full 10-12 hours before your blood draw can affect the accuracy of your glucose reading. Eating, drinking anything other than water, or inconsistent fasting duration can all influence the result.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Interpreting a fasting glucose result depends on your fasting status at the time of collection, your symptoms, your medical history, and any other lab findings your provider is considering. A single result, whether high or low, does not on its own confirm or rule out diabetes.
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.
6. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
Bringing an abnormal result to a qualified healthcare provider is the appropriate next step. Additional evaluation or follow-up testing may be considered based on your provider's assessment, but no treatment or medication changes should be made without their guidance.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required before this test.
