Loader
logo
Cart Call

Home > Blog > Fasting Blood Sugar: Normal, High, & Low + Ways to Improve

Fasting Blood Sugar: Normal, High, & Low + Ways to Improve

Fasting Blood Sugar: Normal, High, & Low + Ways to Improve

Max Lab

May 25, 2022

When you fast, your body doesn’t have any glucose to use for energy. So, it starts to break down stored glycogen in your liver into glucose. This process is called gluconeogenesis. Once all the stored glycogen is used up, your body starts to break down fat for energy, which produces ketones. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) is a measure of blood sugar after an overnight fast or during periods of prolonged fasting. FBS is often used as a diagnostic tool to determine if someone has diabetes. A person’s sugar level on an empty stomach can provide vital clues as to how their body is managing blood sugar. Tests to calculate the fasting blood sugar levels in the body are the common way of diagnosing diabetes, and an important management tool for those who have been diagnosed with the condition.

What is Fasting Blood Sugar?

As the name suggests, fasting blood sugar is a person’s blood sugar level on an empty stomach or after a period of not eating. As a person eats, their blood sugar levels rise and how much they rise depends on what was eaten and in how much quantity. Generally, an hour after eating is when the sugar levels reach their peak. By testing the sugar level on an empty stomach, after observing a fast of typically 8-12 hours, a doctor can gain insight into how the body manages blood sugar. A fasting blood sugar results higher than what is the normal level even after not eating for 8 hours may indicate that the body is unable to process the sugar in the blood, which could be a sign of insulin resistance.

What is the Fasting Blood Sugar Test?

A fasting blood glucose (FBG) test, also known as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or fasting blood sugar test, is the test that is performed for measuring the amount of glucose in the blood after a fast. As it requires 8-12 hours of not eating anything, it is generally performed after an overnight fast in the morning, which is the preferred time for a fasting blood sugar test. It is performed to either diagnose diabetes, monitor its treatment, or understand the effect of different factors on blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Sample Collection

For the fasting blood sugar test, a blood sample is collected for testing. It can either be collected by pricking a finger or from a vein in the arm. It takes very little time for a fasting blood sugar test and reports are generally made available the same very same day.

“Can I Drink Water Before a Fasting Blood Sugar Test”

One of the most common questions asked by people undergoing the test is if they can drink water before a fasting blood sugar test. In most cases, drinking a little water is permissible before sample collection, unless otherwise specified by the doctor. Any other food or drinks like coffee, tea, juice, etc. must be avoided completely.

For people with diabetes, a fasting blood sugar test performed in the morning provides a baseline sugar level for the day, which they may have to follow with random blood sugar tests during the day. The test can also help detect impaired fasting glucose, which means that their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

What is a Normal Fasting Blood Sugar Level?

Levels below 100 mg/dL are considered to be normal levels for fasting blood sugar while levels higher than 126 mg/dL may indicate diabetes. if a person shows high blood sugar levels, they may be asked to undergo further testing to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. On the other hand, blood sugar levels between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL are referred to as impaired fasting glucose, which means that the levels are high but not as high as they are in conditions like diabetes. The condition with impaired fasting glucose levels is also referred to as prediabetes.

How to Control Fasting Blood Sugar

Conditions like type 1 or type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions that cannot be treated but if a person has not yet developed the conditions or if they have prediabetes, there are several ways in which they can control their blood sugar levels.

  • Exercising Regularly

Regular exercise can help achieve and maintain a healthy weight while also increasing insulin sensitivity. Increased insulin sensitivity implies that the cells can use the available sugar in the blood more efficiently. Exercise also aids in using the blood sugar for energy and for muscular contractions. Testing blood sugar levels before and after exercising on a regular basis can help learn how the body reacts to certain activities and can help on maintaining blood sugar levels, keeping them from getting too high or too low.

  • Tracking Blood Sugar Levels Regularly

Generally, high blood sugar levels do not show symptoms until they have exceeded 200 mg/dL. As a result, it is critical for someone with diabetes or with risk factors for developing the condition to measure their blood sugar regularly. As

  • Increased Intake of Fibre and Less Carbs

Fibre is a nutrient that can help stabilise blood sugar levels. It also aids in weight loss and reduces the risks of developing cardiovascular disease. It is also important for patients with type 2 diabetes to be mindful of their carb intake. Carbohydrates are a major source of blood sugar fluctuations.

Testing fasting blood sugar levels offer helpful insights into how the body is managing blood sugar and the results can help your doctor get a better understanding of your health.

Want to book a Blood Test?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Your fasting blood sugar level is the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood after you have fasted for at least 8 hours. This number can give your doctor important information about your overall health and metabolism.

 There are a few things you can do:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. 

 

For a fasting blood sugar test, you will need to fast for at least 8 hours. This means that you will not be able to eat or drink anything during this time.

 

There are a number of things that can affect your fasting blood sugar levels. Here are some of the most common:

  • Eating: What you eat (and when you eat it) can have a big impact on your fasting blood sugar.
  • Exercise: Exercise can lower your fasting blood sugar levels.
  • Stress: Stress can raise your blood sugar levels, so try to relax and de-stress as much as possible.

 

yes! Fasting blood sugar can absolutely vary from day to day, and there are a variety of factors that can influence these fluctuations. For example, if you eat a large or sugary meal the night before your fasting blood sugar test, your results will likely be higher than if you had eaten a light or healthy meal.

It's well-known that stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, and that includes raising our blood sugar levels. When we're stressed, our bodies release the hormone cortisol, which can cause our blood sugar to spike.

If you are going to have a fasting blood sugar test, you should drink plenty of water the night before and the morning of the test. 

There are a few potential disadvantages to fasting blood sugar tests. First, if you have diabetes, fasting can be dangerous. If your blood sugar drops too low during the fast, you may experience symptoms like dizziness and shaking.

Comments


Leave a Comment

new health articles

What is World Health Day & Its Importance

What is World Health Day & Its Importance

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs): What Are the Symptoms of Mini-Stroke?

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs): What Are the Symptoms of Mini-Stroke?

Early Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Early Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

What Is The Stress Test? What To Expect And Why It Matters

What Is The Stress Test? What To Expect And Why It Matters

Everything You Need to Know About Blood Pressure Readings

Everything You Need to Know About Blood Pressure Readings

Myeloma Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Myeloma Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Get a Call Back from our Health Advisor

LOGIN

Get access to your orders, lab tests

OTP will be sent to this number by SMS

Not Registered Yet? Signup now.

ENTER OTP

OTP sent successfully to your mobile number

Didn't receive OTP? Resend Now

Welcome to Max Lab

Enter your details to proceed

MALE
FEMALE
OTHER