Does fasting blood glucose testing help diagnose diabetes?

Fasting blood glucose testing is one of the tools doctors use to diagnose diabetes. In this article we will discuss what glycemia is, when it is worth performing this test, what are the symptoms of glycemic disorders, how to prepare for the test, how to interpret the results and what are the glycemic norms for different age groups. In addition, we will find out how much a glycemia test costs and whether it is reimbursed, what are the referral procedures for this test, and we will present some recommended articles on this topic.

What is glycemia?

Glycemia is the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This is a parameter that may indicate the health of the body, especially when it comes to controlling sugar levels in patients with diabetes or suspected diabetes.

Glycemia – indications for testing. symptoms of glycemic disorders

Blood glucose testing is usually recommended in the following situations:

• If diabetes is suspected based on symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss.
• If there are risk factors such as obesity, family history of diabetes, hypertension.
• During routine screening, especially in people over 45 years of age.
• During pregnancy, where glycemic control is important for both the mother and the developing baby.

Symptoms of glycemic disorders may vary and do not always have to be present. Therefore, it is worth performing a glycemia test if there is even the slightest suspicion of problems with blood sugar levels.

Glycemia – preparation and course of the test

Fasting blood glucose testing involves taking a blood sample on an empty stomach, i.e. at least 8 hours after the last meal. The sample is then analyzed and the result is reported as a number expressed in milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter of blood (mmol/L). This examination is painless and takes only a few minutes.

Glycemia – how to interpret blood sugar test results? standards for women, men and children

The interpretation of glycemia results depends on many factors, such as age, gender and health condition of the patient. It is generally accepted that the normal fasting sugar level is from 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9-5.6 mmol/L). Values above this range may indicate glycemic disorders.

It is worth noting, however, that the exact standards may vary depending on the laboratory and the unit of measurement used, so you should always consult the results with your doctor.

Glycemia test – price/reimbursement, referral

The cost of a blood glucose test may vary and depends on the place where it is performed. In the case of people covered by health insurance, the test is often reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). However, it is worth checking this with your own doctor or medical facility.

A referral for a glycemia test may be issued by a general practitioner, a diabetologist, a gynecologist (in the case of pregnant women) or another specialist, depending on the patient’s needs.

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Recommended articles

In addition to this article, we recommend reading other materials related to diabetes, its prevention and treatment. Here are some recommended articles:

• “How to take care of your diet with diabetes?”
• “Can type 2 diabetes be avoided?”
• “Modern methods of treating diabetes”

It is worth expanding your knowledge on this topic to understand how to take care of your health and avoid complications related to diabetes.

In conclusion, fasting blood glucose testing is an important diagnostic tool that can help detect diabetes early and control blood sugar levels. It is worth checking your blood glucose results regularly, especially if there are risk factors or symptoms suggesting glycemia problems. Remember that in case of any doubts, it is always worth consulting a doctor who will help you interpret the results and take appropriate actions.