|
|
|
© Dirk Biddle
Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as the main source of energy for the body. Most of the body's cells require glucose for energy production; brain and nervous system cells can function only when glucose levels in the blood remain within a narrow range. The blood test for glucose is used to screen for diabetes, pre-diabetes, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). High values are associated with diabetes or with eating before the test. In addition to pancreatic function, glucose may be altered by diet and medication.
The normal range for a fasting glucose is 60 - 109 mg/dl. According the 1999 ADA criteria, diabetes is diagnosed with a “fasting” plasma glucose level of 126 or more. A precursor, Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), is defined as fasting glucose levels of 110 - 125. Sometimes a glucose tolerance test, which involves giving you a sugary drink followed by several blood glucose tests, is necessary to properly sort out normal from IFG from diabetes.