What it means
The blood glucoseGLOO-kohsA simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy.gluc/o sweet, sugar-ose sugarFull entry level measured first thing in the morning, before eating. It is used to screen for and diagnose diabetes and prediabetes, and to see how well diabetes is controlled. A level of 100–125 mg/dL is prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests points to diabetes mellitusdy-uh-BEE-teez MEL-ih-tusA long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.Full entry .
For the nurse
Tell the client to eat or drink nothing but water for at least 8 hours before the test. Hold morning insulin or diabetes pills only as the prescriber orders, and give food as soon as the sample is drawn.
In a chart
"Fasting blood glucose 132 mg/dL this morning; repeat test ordered."
At a glance
| Normal range | 70–99 mg/dL [3.9–5.5 mmol/L] |
|---|---|
| Also written | fasting blood sugar, fasting glucose, fasting plasma glucose, FBG, FBS, FPG |
Related terms
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
hyperglycemia
A blood glucose level above normal, over 100 mg/dL when fasting.
glucose
A simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy.
blood glucose
The amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood at the time it is measured.