Blood Glucose Fasting Test – What You Need to Know

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that impacts how your body converts food into energy. A fbs test helps to measure the glucose amount in the blood. People with too low or high glucose or sugar in the blood have serious health conditions. 

A small needle is used to draw the blood from the vein in your arm. This test helps to get the right treatment at the right time. A device is also available that is beneficial to check the blood glucose level at home. 

All you need is to prick your finger to collect a drop of blood. 

What You Can Diagnose with FBS?

Primarily, the glucose test is performed to diagnose both type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Diabetics have higher levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin is responsible for controlling blood sugar levels. Basically, the hormone is a hormone. 

When a body does not make enough insulin, it may lead to sugar buildup in the blood. When diabetes is left untreated, it may lead to many health complications, such as heart disease, blindness, etc. It may also cause kidney disease. 

In some people, this test is done to check the low levels of glucose in the blood. This condition is known as hypoglycemia. People are prone to this condition who take too many medications, like insulin, or skip meals. They usually end up with hypoglycemia. 

Some other underlying conditions or medications can also lead to this condition. Doctors consider too low a level of sugar in the blood is an emergency need. 

Preparation for Blood Glucose Fasting Test 

There are many categories of the blood glucose tests, such as random, fasting, or post-prandial. Fasting is a common category that is used to diagnose diabetes. 

You need to discuss with the doctor what medications you are on and what your routine tasks are. it may include both over-the-counter or prescription medications. 

Some herbal supplements may also interfere with the blood glucose test. You may need to change the dosage of the medicine before going for the test. 

There are common medicines that can impact your blood glucose level, such as birth control pills, lithium, aspirin, diuretics, corticosteroids, phenytoin, sulfonylurea medications, hormone therapy, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), etc. 

Stress is also a reason behind the rise in blood glucose levels. When you go for the test, discuss with the doctor if you have had any stroke, trauma, or a heart attack in the past. 

Blood Glucose Fasting Test 

A person cannot eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours before going for the test. Morning is the best time to check the blood glucose test level as you do not need to fast during the day. 

Diabetics should be more careful when they have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is a chronic condition that can be manageable with a healthy diet along with medical treatment.

Best Foods for Diabetes 

You can still enjoy your favorite foods, even if you have diabetes. But you need to choose a variety of foods, such as vegetables, fruits, etc. 

The healthy food groups are as follows:

Fruits 

A variety of fruit can help to meet the sugar cravings and also get all the essential nutrients. You can eat oranges, berries, bananas, grapes, apples, etc. 

Vegetables 

With high nutritious value, vegetables are very effective for the treatment of diabetes. You can have a portion of the variety of veggies, such as broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers, as these are all nonstarchy. But you can also add some starchy foods to your bowls, like corn, green peas, and potatoes. 

Other food varieties can also help, such as:

Grains: Experts believe that half of the grains should be whole grains, such as wheat, oats, cornmeal, barley, quinoa, rice, etc. You can have its products, such as pasta, cereal, tortillas, bread, etc. 

Protein Intake: Some foods that are high in protein can also help, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, meat substitute like tofu, nuts and peanuts, dried beans, etc. 

Some dairy and nonfat may also include yogurt, cheese, and both milk with lactose and lactose-free. Heart-healthy fats are also essential, such as nuts and seeds, avocado, oils that are liquid at room temperature, and heart-healthy fish, such as tuna, salmon, etc. 

People with diabetes should limit the intake of beverages that can increase the level of blood sugar level. Some foods may worsen diabetes, such as:

• Sweets, like baked goods, ice cream, etc. 
• Beverages with high sugar content, like juice, energy drinks, etc. 
• Fried foods are high in saturated fat or trans-fat. 
• High salt foods, known as sodium 

Diabetics should drink plenty of water. Some people may not experience any severe symptoms of diabetes at first but if you experience the following symptoms, you should get tested by discussing with a doctor, 

• Urinate, more often at night
• Hungry 
• Have blurred vision 
• Have dry skin 
• Numbness in hands and feet 
• Lose weight without any reason 
• Always being thirsty 

You should seek medical help if you experience any of these symptoms. If someone has had anyone in the family with diabetes, you should go for a regular checkup.