Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation required
- Turnaround: 3–8 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
The GlycoMark test measures 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), a glucose-like compound in your blood, without requiring fasting. Unlike tests that capture a single glucose reading, this test reflects glycemic fluctuations, particularly post-meal spikes, over the past 1 to 2 weeks. Your 1,5-AG level moves inversely with blood glucose: when glucose spikes are frequent or severe, your 1,5-AG level, and your GlycoMark result, drops.
This is a distinct, intermediate-term marker of glycemic variability. It is not the same measurement as hemoglobin A1c, which reflects glycemic control over roughly 2 to 3 months, and it is not the same as fructosamine. The GlycoMark test is intended to be used alongside A1c, not as a replacement for it.
Benefits
- Detects recent blood glucose spikes over a 1 to 2 week window
- Requires no fasting or special preparation beforehand
- Captures glycemic variability that single glucose readings miss
- Complements A1c by covering a shorter time frame
- Offers insight distinct from fructosamine or A1c results
Who Is This Test For?
- People with diabetes wanting insight into recent glucose spikes
- Those already using A1c testing to monitor glycemic control
- Individuals whose care team wants to assess post-meal fluctuations
- People seeking a non-fasting option for glycemic variability insight
- Those working with a provider to review short-term glucose trends
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?
No special preparation is required for the GlycoMark test. You can have this blood drawn without fasting beforehand, which sets it apart from many other glucose-related tests.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 8 days. Weather, holidays, or other lab delays may extend this timeframe.
3. What can my results tell me?
Your GlycoMark result offers a window into glycemic variability over the previous 1 to 2 weeks, particularly whether you have experienced notable post-meal glucose spikes. Because the marker moves in the opposite direction of glucose, a lower 1,5-AG value suggests more frequent or pronounced spikes, while a higher value suggests more stable glucose patterns during that window. This information adds a layer of detail that a single-point glucose check or a longer-term marker like A1c does not provide on its own.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Recent and recurring glucose spikes are the primary driver of your 1,5-AG level, since the marker responds specifically to post-meal glucose excursions over the preceding 1 to 2 weeks. Because the source does not specify other influencing factors such as medications, illness, or diet beyond glucose fluctuations themselves, interpretation should focus on recent glycemic patterns rather than assumptions about unrelated variables.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Making sense of a GlycoMark value involves considering it alongside your broader glycemic picture, including any A1c results and your healthcare provider's assessment of your overall diabetes management. A lower result points toward more glucose variability in the recent 1 to 2 week period, while a higher result suggests fewer spikes, but neither result stands alone as a full picture of your glycemic control. This test does not replace A1c or fructosamine testing, and each marker reflects a different time horizon and physiological signal.
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 unexpected result to your healthcare provider is the appropriate next step. They can help place your GlycoMark value in the context of your recent glucose patterns, your A1c history, and your overall diabetes management plan. Additional evaluation may be considered if your provider feels it's warranted, but a single result does not by itself dictate a change in treatment.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test.
