What is the purpose of this test?
The GlycoMark Blood Test measures short-term fluctuations in blood sugar levels, providing a detailed look at how well your body controls glucose, particularly after meals. Unlike other tests that track long-term blood sugar control, such as the Hemoglobin A1C test, the GlycoMark test focuses on identifying spikes in blood sugar over the past one to two weeks. This makes it especially useful for detecting post-meal glucose spikes, which can be missed by other tests but are important for managing conditions like diabetes.
This test is often used alongside other diabetes monitoring tools to give doctors a clearer picture of how well blood sugar is being controlled throughout the day. If the GlycoMark result is low, it suggests that your blood sugar has been spiking frequently after meals, indicating poor glucose control. By identifying these spikes, doctors can adjust your treatment plan, including changes to diet, medications, or insulin, to better manage your blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications like heart disease or nerve damage.
Who should get this test?
The GlycoMark Blood Test is beneficial to:
- Individuals with Diabetes: Those who need to monitor short-term fluctuations in blood sugar to manage their condition effectively.
- Patients with Insulin Resistance: People who experience symptoms or have risk factors for insulin resistance and need detailed glucose management insights.
- People with Difficulty Controlling Blood Sugar Levels: Those who have trouble achieving stable blood sugar levels despite treatment and lifestyle changes.
- Individuals with Uncontrolled Post-Meal Blood Sugar Spikes: Those who need to identify frequent spikes in blood sugar after meals to adjust their diet or medication.
- Patients Evaluating Diabetes Treatment: People who want to assess the effectiveness of their current diabetes treatment or make adjustments based on detailed glucose control data.
- Individuals Undergoing Comprehensive Diabetes Management: Those who are part of a broader diabetes care plan and need additional information to fine-tune their management strategies.
When should I order the GlycoMark Blood Test?
You should consider ordering the GlycoMark Blood Test if you need to evaluate short-term fluctuations in blood sugar levels, especially if you have symptoms or conditions related to glucose management. Here’s when to order the test:
- Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
- Frequent post-meal glucose spikes
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Difficulty with insulin management
- Evaluation of diabetes treatment
- Monitoring for insulin resistance
The GlycoMark Blood Test provides a detailed picture of how your glucose levels fluctuate over time, helping to manage and adjust treatment for diabetes and related conditions.
Sample Report
Also Known As:
GlycoMark, 1-5 Anhydroglucitol
Preparation:
No special preparation required.
Test Results:
3-8 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
