Blood Glucose

2-hour Postprandial Blood Sugar Test, Fasting Blood Sugar Test, Random Blood Sugar Test

Why It Is Done

Blood glucose tests are done to:

  • Check for diabetes.
  • Monitor treatment of diabetes.
  • Check for diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
  • Determine if an abnormally low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) is present. A test to measure blood levels of insulin and a protein called C-peptide may be done along with a blood glucose test to determine the cause of hypoglycemia. For more information, see the medical test C-Peptide.

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Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MSLast Updated: July 25, 2007
Medical Review: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
Arrow PointerWhy It Is Done
 How To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
 What To Think About
 References
 Credits