QuestionBut wouldn't you expect the two to be close, if the person fasted before each? That was the case with my wife, and we're trying to ascertain whether followup is necessary. The two were performed a couple of weeks apart. The fasting "fasting" was 91, and the fasting "random" was 116. I'm concerned because she recently started on an antiseizure medication that could be causing her glucose to creep up. Thanks for your indulgence.-
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Followup To
Question -
Please explain the difference between "Glucose, Fasting" and "Glucose, Random." I note that both are measured in mg/dl, but the reference range for the latter runs much higher. My wife had both tested on different days, after fasting overnight. The "Glucose, Random" was significantly higher, and I'm wondering why. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Answer -
Herb,
The fasting blood glucose is done after you have fasted, so it you haven't taken in any sugar in the form of food. A random blood glucose is done randomly, without fasting. Diabetics do a random blood glucose every time they monitor their blood glucose levels at home. It will be higher than a fasting blood glucose because, with the random glucose, you are taking in food before the test is preformed. The food you eat can make the blood glucose levels higher.
- Beth
AnswerHerb,
If the blood for the two tests was not taken close to the same time, then the results probably won't be exactly the same. That would be the case with your wife's tests, since the blood was taken a couple weeks apart. With some tests, if you test the same tube of blood more than once, you might get 116 the first time, 114 the second, and 117 the third time. Variations in numbers are expected. Large jumps are not to be expected, though.
Whether or not your wife's medication is causing her glucose to increase is something you should probably speak with her doctor about. I wish I could be of more help.
Beth
