Glucose test

Blood glucose test

A test performed from blood, determining the levels of fasting glucose.

Glucose concentration measurements are used for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders (diabetes, neonatal hypoglycaemia, idiopathic hypoglycaemia) and for monitoring the treatment of diabetes.

For patients from the risk groups and pregnant women, it is also indicated to undergo preventive tests/examinations (detection of diabetes and pre-diabetic states), as well as regular check-ups.

Increased glucose concentration levels can be observed in:

• diabetes,
• disorders of the pituitary and suprarenal functions,
• pancreas diseases,
• dialysis patients or pregnant women.

Decreased glucose concentration levels are present during:

• insulin overdose,
• intake of antidiabetic drugs,
• hormonal insufficiency of the pituitary and suprarenal glands,
• congenital metabolic blocks or toxic liver damage.

Glucose – what does the test look like and what are the recommendations?

• This is an invasive test – the skin is disinfected according to the procedures, a tourniquet is used and blood is collected into an EDTA test tube. The time from blood collection until the completion of the entire procedure is a few – several minutes.
• If the patient is not adequately prepared for the test, the result obtained may be incorrect.
• The blood should be collected in the morning hours.

Recommendations before a blood glucose test:

• Do not consume alcohol for 48 – 72 hours before the test.
• Refrain from drinking coffee and tea for at least 12 hours before the test.
• Avoid stress.

On the day of the test:

• Patients should come for blood collection on an empty stomach, which means that no meals can be consumed for about 12 hours before the test.
• They are allowed to drink some water in the morning, but not more than a glass. Where possible, the test should be performed before patients take their morning dose of medicines, unless their physician instructs otherwise.
• Before the test, patients should rest for approximately 10-15 minutes (in a sitting position).
• Physical exercise, including moderate effort, such as walking or climbing stairs, may alter the values of laboratory tests.

Glucose test result

• The results of glucose test are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of any Medicover Centre.
• The results can be accessed online. To do this, you have to visit the reception desk to generate a password in the Centre of your choice.