Glucose Random

Also Known As: Blood Sugar, SMBG or Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose, FPG or Fasting Plasma Glucose, FBS or Fasting Blood Sugar, Glucose Challenge Test

What Is a Glucose, Plasma (Random) Test?

Glucose, Plasma (Random) test measures how much glucose or sugar you have in your bloodstream. Here, the word random or casual implies that you will have your blood sample drawn at any given time of day in a lab. Whether you are fasting or have not eaten for a while will not affect the results. Your doctor will immediately carry out this test to determine if you are likely to have a chronic condition called diabetes. They may even ask for some other tests to confirm the complete diagnosis. This test is quite helpful for people in dire need of a speedy diagnosis, such as individuals with type 1 diabetes who require additional insulin for their emergency state.

Glucose is a form of sugar and usually comes from your food. It is your body's fundamental source of energy /fuel for every cell and tissue, including the ones in the heart, brain, and muscles. Your body works nonstop to keep the blood glucose range at a normal level. A hormone called insulin is produced to help achieve this and enter the glucose in cells for further work.

People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin as their immune system attacks and destroys the cell in the pancreas responsible for making insulin. Individuals with type 2 diabetes either cannot produce enough insulin, or their body does not respond to it appropriately. When you cannot make insulin correctly, a specific amount of glucose remains in the blood. Hyperglycemia occurs when the glucose levels remain consistently high, whereas hypoglycemia occurs when it is too low.

Random glucose testing is the best way to check the level of glucose in the blood. Suppose the result indicates that you have a higher than expected glucose level. In that case, your doctor will usually order some other tests to confirm the diagnosis and make an effective treatment plan.

What Is The Test Used For?

In people without diabetes, the glucose levels are easily managed through the mechanism of internal insulin and the body's use of sugar for energy. If these individuals undergo random glucose plasma tests throughout their day, the results will be relatively stable and within normal range. This will remain unaffected even if they are not careful with their diet, experience constant stress, and do not have a healthy lifestyle. However, in individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes, the glucose levels can differ over time. This is also particularly true if the chronic condition is not appropriately managed.

A glucose plasma (random) test is performed outside the normal testing schedule. It serves as an essential part of diabetes management because if the random glucose levels are satisfactory, it means that the treatment plan is working. Significant alterations in your levels indicate that you need to change your medications and treatment program.

Why And When Do You Need Glucose, Plasma (Random) Test?

Your doctor or health care provider will ask for a random glucose plasma test if you exhibit symptoms related to high glucose levels, i.e., hyperglycemia, or those of low glucose levels, i.e., hypoglycemia.

The signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia or high blood glucose level are:

Wounds that are slow to heal
Increased thirst
Fatigue and tiredness
Blurred vision
More frequent urination

Symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood glucose level include the following:

Confusion
Trembling
Hunger
Anxiety
Unexplained sweating

Your doctor will also ask for a random glucose test if you are susceptible to certain risk factors related to diabetes, such as:

Heart diseases
High blood pressure
Being overweight
Lack of exercise

If you are pregnant, you will likely undergo this test between the 24th- 26th week of your pregnancy to diagnose gestational diabetes.

What Kind Of Sample Is Required For The Test?

A random glucose plasma test is one of the quickest blood tests that a doctor, nurse, or lab technician carries out at short notice within their office or clinic premises. For this test, you will be required to give out a small sample of blood that the lab technician will take using a needle, often from your finger.

Do You Need To Prepare For The Test?

Before this test, you will probably not need to fast. You can eat or drink as usual unless the healthcare professional advises you otherwise. If you are pregnant and being checked for gestational diabetes, you might need to drink a sugary liquid before the blood test. If the results show higher than the normal blood glucose level, you might need to undergo other tests immediately.

Are There Any Risks To The Test?

There are very little to almost zero risks involved in getting a blood test done. You might experience slight pain or bruise at the spot where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms are mild and quickly go away on their own.

What Do The Test Results Mean?

If your test results show higher than the normal glucose level, it means that you are susceptible or at extreme risk for getting diabetes. Higher glucose levels can also be a symptom of:

Pancreatic cancer
Kidney diseases
Pancreatitis
Hyperthyroidism

However, if the random glucose plasma test shows lower than normal Glucose levels, it indicates the following:

Liver diseases
Constant use of insulin and other diabetic medicines
Hypothyroidism

If the test results are not normal, it does not always mean that you have a specific medical condition that requires immediate treatment and management. Stress and some medicines can also fluctuate your glucose levels. To understand the accurate interpretation of your results, talk to your healthcare provider immediately after receiving your results.

Related Tests: Fasting Plasma Glucose Test, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test

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