What to prepare before a blood sugar test?

The fasting blood sugar (FPG) test used to screen for diabetes is a relatively simple, accurate, and low-cost test that helps manage problems with insulin action. Blood glucose testing is recommended for people with risk factors and should be tested every 3 years for everyone.

Prolonged fasting activates a hormone called glucagon, which is produced by the pancreas and causes the liver to release glucose (blood sugar) into the bloodstream. During prolonged fasting, if you don’t have diabetes, your body responds by producing insulin, which helps prevent blood sugar spikes. When the body can’t make enough insulin or can’t respond to insulin appropriately, fasting blood sugar levels stay high, which means you have a diabetes-related problem.

In the diagnosis of diabetes, the FPG test may be done alone or along with other tests such as the randomized glucose tolerance test, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which measures blood glucose levels after when drinking drinks with a lot of sugar after a period of fasting…

In order to have favorable blood sugar test results and give the most accurate results, test takers should note the following issues.

Before the exam

Time: The FPG blood sugar test requires the tester to be fasting for at least 8 hours, so the test schedule should be scheduled a day earlier.

Place: determine the place where you are going to take the test for convenient, on-time travel.

Costume: When going for testing, you should wear a short shirt for easy blood collection. Wear loose, comfortable clothing suitable for examination and movement.

Food and drink: this is a fasting test, which means do not eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours before the test. Experts recommend fasting overnight, occasionally drinking a small sip of water, being careful not to drink a full glass, drink too much water.

Items to carry: bring your insurance card, identification and other documents required by the doctor, to avoid finding documents to interrupt the testing process.

Some people feel nauseous after having their blood drawn from fasting for a long time. So it’s best to bring snacks to eat after finishing the test.

During test

The person taking the test should speak up about any history of fainting or allergies that he or she has experienced before for the technician’s attention. Keep calm when having blood drawn. Try not to cross your legs or strain as stress can raise your blood sugar levels and also make it difficult to draw blood.

After testing

After taking blood, the patient is free to leave and wait for the results, if you feel dizzy, you should sit in the waiting room for a few minutes. This will be the time to snack to replenish low blood sugar caused by fasting. Wait for the results and follow your doctor’s orders.

Mr. Chi (According to VeryWellHealth)