[KDI Healthcare Room: Health Information for August, 2019]

 

 

Hello! This is nurse Taesub from the KDIS Healthcare Room.

 

Today, let’s talk about Fasting Blood Sugar!

 

 

What is Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) test?

 

FBS test is a test to determine how much glucose (sugar) is in a blood sample after an overnight fast, which is commonly used to detect diabetes mellitus  Fasting, as the name suggests, means refraining from eating of drinking any liquids other than water for eight hours.

 

Here are the normal and abnormal values for FBS level:

 

- Less than 100 mg/dL = normal

 

- Between 110 – 125 mg/dL = impaired fasting glucose (i.e., prediabetes)

 

- Greater than 126 mg/dL on two or more samples = diabetes

 

Impaired fasting glycemia occurs when blood glucose levels in the body are elevated during periods of fasting, but not enough to a diagnosis of diabetes. People with impaired fasting glycemia face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, despite having less of a risk than those with impaired glucose tolerance.

 

Recently, Dr. Soo Lim, from the Endocrinology Dept. of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital said, “It is too late if you start treating your diabetes after your FBS reaches over 126 ㎎/㎗. If your FBS is over 110 ㎎/㎗, it is recommended to see a doctor immediately and start the blood glucose management as soon as possible.

 

 

What is HbA1c or A1c test (Diabetic Report Card)?

 

Some health screening centers may or may not include a HbA1c test as part of your health screening program. Please double check with the institution if you want to receive this test. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or are currently receiving treatments for diabetes, it is a good idea to include the HbA1c test.

 

HbA1c or A1c blood test, which doesn't require fasting, indicates your average blood sugar level for the past three months. It measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached.

 

Here are the goal values (per American Diabetes Association guidelines):

 

- A range of 5.7-6.4 percent indicates an increased risk for development of diabetes (i.e., prediabetes), and lifestyle interventions may be beneficial.

 

- A value equal or greater than 6.5 percent is considered diabetic.

 

Type 2 diabetes is preventable in many patients. At the least, it is possible to reduce the incidence of complications of diabetes by eating a healthy diet, getting moderate exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.

 

It’s also helpful for people at risk to be screened for diabetes and prediabetes, so that management can begin early in the course of the disease. This reduces the risk of long-term problems.

 

If your blood sugar test results are out of normal range, please visit and discuss with your doctor.

 

 

※ References:

 

http://health.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/02/01/2018020100129.html

http://www.amc.seoul.kr/asan/healthinfo/management/managementDetail.do?managementId=105

http://m.amc.seoul.kr/asan/mobile/healthstory/medicalcolumn/medicalColumnDetail.do?medicalColumnId=29383

https://labtestsonline.kr/tests/hba1c

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16790-blood-sugar-tests

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/impaired-fasting-glycemia.html