BSL TEST

Blood tests for blood sugar (glucose)

1. Random blood glucose level

A sample of blood taken at any time can be a useful test if diabetes is suspected. A level of 11.1 mmol/L or more in the blood sample indicates that you have diabetes. A fasting blood glucose test may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Fasting blood glucose level

A glucose level below 11.1 mmol/L on a random blood sample does not rule out diabetes. A blood test taken in the morning before you eat anything is a more accurate test. Do not eat or drink anything except water for 8-10 hours before a fasting blood glucose test. A level of 7.0 mmol/L or more indicates that you have diabetes.

3. Oral glucose tolerance test

This test is not now usually used to diagnose diabetes. However, the test may be done if it is thought your body doesn't control glucose levels normally but not badly enough to be called diabetes. This is referred to as pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance). The test may also be used to see whether a woman has developed diabetes associated with pregnancy.

4. The HbA1c blood test

If you have diabetes, your HbA1c level may be done every 2-6 months by your doctor or nurse. This test measures your recent average blood sugar (glucose) level. Because it is an average measurement you do NOT need to fast on the day of the test. The test measures a part of the red blood cells. Glucose in the blood attaches to part of the red blood cells. This part can be measured and gives a good indication of your average blood glucose over the previous 2-3 months

5.Urine test for blood sugar (glucose)

Urine (produced by the kidneys) does not normally contain glucose. The kidneys filter our blood, keeping substances the body needs, while getting rid of waste products. Your kidneys constantly reabsorb glucose so that it doesn't enter your urine. However, if the glucose level goes above a certain level, the kidneys can't reabsorb all of the glucose. This means that some glucose will 'spill' through the kidneys into the urine.

A simple dipstick test can detect glucose in a sample of urine. In a dipstick test a doctor or nurse uses a special chemical strip which he/she dips into a sample of your urine. Colour changes on the strip show whether there is glucose in the urine sample. If you have glucose in your urine, you are likely to have diabetes.

However, some people have kidneys that are more 'leaky' and glucose may leak into urine with a normal blood level. Therefore, if your urine contains any glucose, you should have a blood test to measure the blood level of glucose to confirm, or rule out, diabetes.

Sr. No. Test Name Test Information Remarks 1 BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL – Fasting (BSL-F) A 10-12 hour fasting sample is advisable. Diagnostic for diabetes. Certain drugs like steroids can raise blood sugar level. Often a oral glucose tolerance test is required to confirm diabetes in asymptomatic patient with raised BSL 2 BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL – Random (BSL-R) Used to screen BSL in a non fasting state or any time not necessarily 2 hours post prandial Abnormal values need to be checked with fasting and post prandial testing 3 BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL – Post prandial (BSL-PP) A post-prandial sample 2 hours after lunch is best preferred. Both BSL (F) and BSL (PP) are commonly done for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetics.