While the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other blood sugar-related conditions is on the rise in the United States, the numbers around patient awareness and education are shockingly low. Over a third of American adults (98 million) are considered prediabetic, and yet more than 80% are unaware of their condition. (4) There are many types of blood sugar tests designed to help practitioners measure potential risk factors and help patients avoid the associated conditions including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Regular assessment of blood sugar levels can play a key role in managing these conditions, further underscoring the need for early and periodic testing to help mitigate progression and avoid complications.
Early detection of these blood sugar abnormalities and anomalies can help lead patients to more effective lifestyle interventions and treatment plans. The significance of these measurements is undisputed, but several different types of blood sugar tests are available. From fasting blood glucose to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), determining the best testing method can be key to providing more personalized care and improving patient outcomes.
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Common tests for blood sugar
A practitioner can use five primary types of blood sugar tests to assess a patient’s diabetic risk. Understanding the differences between these tests can help you determine the best test for a patient’s particular needs.
1. Fasting blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose is used to help identify prediabetes and diabetes. By requiring patients to fast for eight to 12 hours prior to a blood draw, this test can provide practitioners with an accurate measurement of morning blood sugar levels. High (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) blood sugar can indicate diabetes and other serious conditions such as liver disease, pancreatic issues, or problems in adrenal function. (1)(7)
2. Glucose tolerance testing
Glucose tolerance testing measures a patient’s blood sugar before and after drinking a liquid containing glucose. This test also requires an overnight fast to help determine a patient’s fasting blood sugar. Levels are taken again at one, two, and possibly three hours after drinking the glucose liquid. By measuring how well the body can process large amounts of sugar, glucose tolerance testing can be useful in providing insight into potential diabetes or gestational diabetes. (8)(12)
3. Random blood sugar testing
Random blood sugar testing measures blood sugar at any time without requiring a patient to fast prior to testing. This method of testing can be useful in predicting diabetes risk in patients who have not been previously diagnosed. (11) A blood sugar level of 20 mg/dL or higher could indicate diabetes. However, it’s best to follow these findings with a more regimented diagnostic test, like a fasting blood glucose test, to confirm results.
4. Hemoglobin A1c testing
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing examines a patient’s average blood sugar levels over the past three months. When sugar enters the bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Everyone has some degree of sugar attached to their hemoglobin, but people with higher levels of HbA1c are at a greater risk of diabetes. This is a baseline test for patients who are at risk of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, especially those over 45 years of age or exhibiting one or more risk factors. Patients not exhibiting symptoms should do a follow-up test on a second day to confirm the results. (2)(13)
5. Continuous glucose monitoring
Continuous glucose monitoring utilizes an electronic device to provide ongoing estimates of a patient’s blood sugar throughout the day and night. Patients can easily monitor levels at any time, and spot changes and trends in their blood glucose. This helps patients managing type 2 diabetes make better decisions about diet, exercise, and medications. These monitors empower patients to keep their glucose levels within a target range, which can be useful in preventing other health problems caused by diabetes. (3)
Measuring and managing blood sugar levels
Diagnostic testing is the first step in helping patients manage their risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Once these important assessments are made, many interventional steps can help patients reverse the numbers and reduce their risk. Lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact, and research indicates that some supplement ingredients may support balancing blood glucose levels.
With nearly 100 million American adults living with prediabetes and over eight in ten unaware of the condition, informing and educating patients is critical. Helping patients more clearly understand what level of blood sugar is dangerous and how to mitigate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is a meaningful next step. While genetic factors can often play a role in diabetes risk, there are clear lifestyle modifications that can help reduce blood sugar levels.
A balanced diet and exercise can help control blood sugar
Proper nutrition can address weight issues that contribute to insulin resistance, while incorporating regular physical activity enhances insulin sensitivity, paving the way for better blood sugar control and potentially reversing diabetes risk factors.
Diet
Dietary intervention is a key component in treating patients at risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Extra weight, specifically around the waist, can build up around a patient’s liver, pancreas, and other organs—leading to insulin resistance. Working with patients on better weight management strategies can help reduce blood sugar levels. (5)(10)
Exercise
While physical activity has countless positive benefits, it also makes the body more sensitive to insulin. This can help patients better manage their blood sugar and even reverse some diabetes risk factors. Help them set a reasonable goal of around 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week. (6)
The bottom line
Metabolic syndrome is on the rise among American adults, with obesity prevalent in more than 40% of patients studied. (1) As those numbers increase, so does the importance of measuring and monitoring blood sugar levels to help patients properly mitigate the associated risk factors. Furthermore, studies have shown a startling increase in diabetic risk among adolescents and young adults. Incidences of type 2 diabetes have jumped 56% among people aged 15 to 39 since 1990. (9) This underscores the importance of using the ideal diagnostic testing and the need for early patient education and understanding.
From fasting blood glucose to HbA1c testing, selecting the right diagnostic solution is a key first step in the process of patient assessment and plan building. Regular testing, in conjunction with a personalized treatment plan that includes diet and exercise, can be a useful tool in monitoring progress and promoting compliance.
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