Testing for diabetes?

[STEPHANIE]

My mom is getting tested for diabetes this friday. Does she need to go 12 hours without eating anything? Or does it matter?

Thanks.

[robert h]

they do 2 test 1 for blood sugar now for which you should fast the other for a 12 week average fasting will not affect this.
(this is if a proper blood test)

[Mazher]

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a type of sugar, called glucose, in your blood. Glucose comes from carbohydrate foods. It is the main source of energy used by the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body's cells use the glucose. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and released into the blood when the amount of glucose in the blood rises.

Normally, your blood glucose levels increase slightly after you eat. This increase causes your pancreas to release insulin so that your blood glucose levels do not get too high. Blood glucose levels that remain high over time can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels.

Several different types of blood glucose tests are used.

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Fasting blood sugar (FBS) measures blood glucose after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours. It often is the first test done to check for diabetes.

2-hour postprandial blood sugar measures blood glucose exactly 2 hours after you eat a meal.

Random blood sugar (RBS) measures blood glucose regardless of when you last ate. Several random measurements may be taken throughout the day. Random testing is useful because glucose levels in healthy people do not vary widely throughout the day. Blood glucose levels that vary widely may indicate a problem. This test is also called a casual blood glucose test.

Oral glucose tolerance test is used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. An oral glucose tolerance test is a series of blood glucose measurements taken after you drink a sweet liquid that contains glucose. This test is commonly used to diagnose diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

[Laura H]

the best way to go in for a diabetes FBS is to go without eating anything for 12 hours. The American Diabetes Association recommends that every three years to have an FBS--Fasting Blood Sugar test for people ages 45 and older. People younger than 45 should also be tested as often as every year if they have a body mass index of 25 or higher and one or more of the following risk facotrs:
---have a mother,father, or sister with diabetes
--are physically inactive
--are African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific islander descent
---have given birth to a baby wieghing more than 9lbs
--had diabetes during pregnancy
--have blood pressure of 140/90 or higher
---have abnormal blood fat levels
--have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose when previously tested
--have or has polycystic ovary syndrome
---history of vascular problems