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Fasting blood sugar tests is a vital part of managing diabetes in the Philippines. However, many Filipinos are unclear about the best way to take their test and what results they should expect.
This article contains some of the frequently asked questions about fasting blood sugar tests and how to prepare for them.
What Is Fasting Blood Sugar Tests?
Fasting blood sugar tests is a measure of how much sugar is in a person’s blood after they have not eaten or drunk anything for an extended period of time. It can be used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and to track the efficacy of treatments for diabetes in the Philippines.
The results of a Fasting Blood Sugar test provide important information about your diabetes and the treatments you are taking. It can also help identify potential health problems.
How Does Blood Glucose Work?
The primary sugar in your blood is called blood sugar or glucose. Your body converts the carbohydrates in food and liquids into sugar when you eat or drink them, which gives you energy.
The hormone insulin is then created by your pancreas, assisting blood sugar absorption by your body’s cells. Additionally, it assists with blood sugar storage for later usage. The blood’s levels of glucose and insulin fall when blood sugar is metabolized by the cells.
However, if you have diabetes, your body has difficulties controlling glucose. Your body either doesn’t handle insulin well, or your pancreas doesn’t produce enough of it. Your blood sugar level is, therefore, greater than usual. Additionally, a high blood glucose level is harmful to health.
What Kind Of Specimen Is Needed for Fasting Blood Sugar Tests?
When blood samples are collected in the lab in the Philippines, the specimen is spun in a centrifuge. The fasting blood sugar levels are then measured using the serum. However, whole blood is used when the glucose level is assessed at home, such as in Random Blood Sugar Monitoring. By utilizing a lancet, a finger prick, is used to get this.
What Are The Normal Fasting Blood Sugar Levels For Filipinos?
How Accurate Are Fasting Blood Sugar Tests?
The accuracy of Fasting Blood Sugar tests in the Philippines depends on several factors, including the Filipino’s age, weight, and health. However, most tests are accurate to within 5-10% of the true value.
What Should I Do If My Fasting Blood Sugar Tests Result Is High?
If your FBS test result is high, it may be indicative of diabetes or another health problem. In most cases, you will need to see an endocrinology doctor in the Philippines to determine if you have diabetes and to begin treatment. You may also need to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly to ensure they remain under control.
Can I Skip Fasting Blood Sugar Tests?
Most Filipinos should have an FBS test at least once a year. However, you can skip a test if you have mild diabetes or if you are pregnant. If you are unsure whether you have diabetes, it is best to talk to your Filipino doctor.
How Do I Store The Blood Sample For The Test?
You should store the blood sample in a refrigerator at or below 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit). This is usually done in the laboratory by Medical technologists.
How Many Hours Should I Fast Before My Test?
Many health professionals recommend fasting for at least eight hours prior to blood extraction and blood sugar test in order to minimize possible interference from food.
What Is The Normal Fasting Blood Sugar Levels?
The fasting blood sugar test results will be reported as a number:
It is considered normal for fasting blood sugar to be 99 mg/dL or less.
Fasting blood sugar levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL are often indicative of prediabetes. This indicates that while your blood sugar levels are above average, they are not yet high enough to be considered diabetic.
Blood sugar levels of 126 mg/dL or higher are considered to be the primary indicator of diabetes.
Your doctor in the Philippines may repeat the test if you have a high fasting blood sugar level to be sure. Your Filipino doctor would advise you to retake the fasting blood sugar test every year or two if the result indicates you have prediabetes. The outcomes will enable you to determine whether you are moving toward Type 2 diabetes.
Can the Fasting Blood Sugar Be Done At Home?
A Random Blood Sugar may be done at home. You can test your blood sugar at home using certain kits, such as the Glucometer. However, they shouldn’t be utilized to identify diabetes.
Results from tests performed by a healthcare professional are frequently more accurate. Accuracy can be impacted by various factors, including:
- Environmental circumstances.
- The skin on the pierced finger is unclean.
- Defective or old test strips.
- There was insufficient blood in the test sample.
Blood test kits for at-home use are designed to aid those who have already been given a diagnosis. They aid those who have diabetes in managing their disease and comprehending the influences on their blood sugar levels.
How Do I Take My Fasting Blood Sugar Test?
Fasting Blood Sugar is often conducted by Medical Technologists or Laboratory Technicians via blood extraction and knowing the count with the use of chemistry machines; However, there are also glucose home kits that are widely used today to monitor blood glucose levels called glucometers. Most often, it is done by Filipinos at home without fasting; this is then termed Random Blood Sugar. This method can be used, such as finger-stick tests, but tend to have lower accuracy as compared to Fasting Blood Sugar via blood Extraction.
Blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day and even from one minute to the next. This means that it is important to take your Random Blood Sugar test as close to the same time each day as possible in order for the results to be consistent. If you are taking a morning test, for example, try not to eat anything before taking the test.
What Does High Fasting Blood Sugar Means?
Diabetes is a condition in which the level of blood sugar (glucose) is too high. This can be caused by genetics but often becomes serious if not properly managed. Diabetes affects around 1 in 8 adults and can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
What Are The High And Low Risks For Diabetes?
A high risk for diabetes is if a Filipino has two or more of the following: a history of type 2 diabetes, being overweight or obese, age 55 or older, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
A low risk for diabetes is if a Filipino has no known risk factors for diabetes, such as being underweight or having only one risk factor, such as being overweight or obese.
Your doctor in the Philippines may repeat the test if you have a high fasting blood sugar level to be sure. Your Filipino doctor would advise you to retake the fasting blood sugar test every year or two if the result indicates you have prediabetes. The outcomes will enable you to determine whether you are moving toward Type 2 diabetes.
How Can I Manage My Diabetes With Regular Testing And Treatment?
There are many ways to manage diabetes, but regular testing and treatment are key. Your doctor in the Philippines can help you develop a plan that works best for you. You may need to change your diet and exercise habits or take medications. If your blood sugar is high, you may need to check it more frequently and take action if it’s elevated.
What Are The Normal Fasting Blood Sugar Levels For Filipinos?
Normal fasting blood sugar levels for Filipinos are between 70 and 100 mg/dL. If your fasting blood sugar is above 100, it may be a sign of diabetes. To diagnose diabetes, your doctor will likely perform a fasting blood sugar test, which is when you fast for 8 hours and then have your blood sugar levels checked. If your fasting blood sugar is 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions, you have diabetes.
If your fasting blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL, it may be a sign of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar drops too low. This can be caused by not eating enough, exercising too much, or taking certain medications. If you have hypoglycemia, you may feel dizzy, tired, or shaky. You may also have trouble concentrating or sweating more than usual.
Diet And Exercise Tips For Managing Blood Glucose Levels For Filipinos
If you have diabetes, your blood glucose levels are too high. You can control your blood glucose levels with diet and exercise. Here are some tips to help you manage your blood glucose levels.
1. Eat a healthy diet.
Eating healthy foods will help you control your blood sugar levels. Choose foods that are low in sugar and fat, and high in fiber.
2. Get regular exercise.
Exercise helps your body use insulin more effectively. It also helps to lower your blood sugar levels.
3. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
Checking your blood sugar levels will help you see how well your diet and exercise plan is working.
4. Talk to your Filipino doctor about your diabetes care plan.
Your doctor in the Philippines can help you create a plan that is right for you.
5. Timely medications.
Make sure to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor in the Philippines.
The Benefits Of Managing Blood Glucose Levels For Filipinos
There are many benefits associated with managing blood glucose levels for Filipinos. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can help to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Research has shown that people with well-managed blood sugar have a lower risk of developing diabetes later in life.
Another benefit of keeping blood sugar levels in check for Filipinos is that it can help reduce the risk of heart disease. High blood sugar can damage arteries and lead to heart problems, so maintaining healthy levels is essential for a healthy heart.
Finally, managing blood sugar can help Filipinos improve cognitive function and memory. Studies have shown that Filipinos with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing dementia, so keeping blood sugar levels under control may help to prevent this condition.
Conclusion
There are many things you can do to manage your diabetes, including regular testing and treatment. If your blood sugar is high, you may need to check it more frequently and take action if it’s elevated.
Resources
- Diabetes Tests | CDC
- Fasting Blood Sugar: Screening Test for Diabetes – Cleveland Clinic
- Fasting Blood Sugar Levels – Diabetes UK
- Diabetes – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
- Blood Glucose Monitoring – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
- Blood sugar test – UCSF Health
- Blood glucose test | healthdirect
- The Big Picture: Checking Your Blood Glucose | ADA
- Checking your blood sugar levels | Diabetes testing – Diabetes Org UK
- Diabetes: What You Need to Know as You Age – Hopkins Medicine
- Monitoring Blood Glucose – Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Blood glucose monitoring – Diabetes Australia
- A Summary of the Philippines UNITE for Diabetes Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes (Part I: Screening and Diagnosis of DM) – ASEAN Endocrine Journal
- How will you know if you are a diabetic? – Department of Health, Philippines
- What can you do to control your blood sugar? – Department of Health, Philippines
- What is my Blood Sugar Target – St. Luke’s Medical Center
- Philippine Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes: Part 1- Screening & Diagnosis – Philippine Diabetes Association, Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation
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