Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

Fasting Blood Sugar Levels – People with diabetes or those suspected of having diabetes will often have a fasting blood sugar levels test done.

This test is ordered by a doctor in order to evaluate the current level or to diagnose someone who is suspected of having diabetes.

The blood sugar test is done by fasting for up to 12 hours prior to taking the test.

The fasting involves not having anything to eat or drink other than water for the amount of time specified by your doctor.

The test will indicate what your blood sugar levels are. A normal range is between 70 to 99 mg/dl while issues with glucose metabolism could be indicated with a level above 100. Also, blood sugar levels can be affected for different reasons.

Food and Alcohol

Blood glucose can be elevated if food is eaten within 8 hours.

Once the food is digested it can remain in your system and cause high levels of glucose that can be found in your blood.

Drinking beverages that contain alcoholic the night before your test can cause your blood sugar levels to drop.

Certain Medications

Certain medications such as estrogen, which is often found in birth control pills, corticosteroids, antidepressants, diuretics, aspirin, and anti-seizure medication can cause glucose levels to rise.

Other medications such as acetaminophen, oral hypoglycemic agent, insulin, and anabolic steroids can cause glucose levels to drop.

Working Out

Although working out is healthy it can cause your blood sugar level to decrease or increase. Insulin becomes more effective during exercise, which can cause your blood sugar levels to drop for several hours.

Working out for one hour a day can cause your glucose levels to drop till the next day. This could affect your fasting blood sugar levels test.

Exercise is also known to release adrenaline which also can affect your glucose levels.

Blood sugar levels can be increased by exercising shortly after a blood sugar levels test.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions such as thyroid, pancreatic, and liver disease can change blood sugar levels.

For those who have recently had a heart attack, surgery, or were involved in a traumatic car accident it can affect glucose metabolism.

Blood sugar levels will often read well above 100 mg/dl when fasting.

Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance Diabetes

Diabetes affects fasting blood glucose levels by increasing them.

Another type of diabetes that affects pregnant women is called gestational diabetes. This is indicated by abnormal glucose levels during pregnancy. Often times this type of diabetes will not be present after the woman gives birth to their child.

The American Diabetes Association states that (IGT) impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes is often indicated with a fasting glucose level above 100 mg/dl; while diabetes is indicated when a fasting sugar level is over 126mg/dl.

Blood sugar supplements, weight loss, exercise, and a nutritional diet can help bring levels down. These levels can also come down over time for those who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).