Glucose – random test

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Glucose – random test

Alternative Names: Random blood glucose, Blood glucose, Blood sugar

A random blood glucose test is done to assess blood sugar control in a known diabetic. It measures the amount of glucose (blood sugar) in the bloodstream at any time of day, not only after fasting. Blood is withdrawn through a needle from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow, and sent to a laboratory for analysis. It is important to control blood sugar levels so as to reduce the risk of long-term complications from diabetes such as angina and heart attack (ischaemic heart disease), stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, and poor circulation. It is not as reliable as a fasting blood sugar test for diagnosing diabetes.

What is it?
A random blood glucose test measures the blood glucose (sugar) when you have not been specially prepared and are not fasting. It may be performed at any time of the day, as opposed to a fasting blood glucose test, which is done following a 12-hour fast.

The blood can be drawn at your doctor’s rooms, a clinic, or in hospital. The analysis is done in a laboratory.

Why is it done?
This test is done to assess blood sugar levels, in 2 situations, most commonly:

  • When considering a diagnosis of diabetes
  • To assess blood sugar control in a known diabetic

What happens?

Before – how to prepare
No special preparation is needed.

During – how the test is done
A convenient area, where there are prominent veins, is identified and cleaned – the area inside the elbow is often used. A tourniquet or tight band is applied above the area in order to increase pressure and dilate the veins. A needle is then inserted, through the skin, into a vein, and some blood is withdrawn. The needle may cause some pain but this is not usually severe. The blood specimen is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

After the test
You will have a small dressing over the puncture wound, which can be removed after a few hours..

Risks and Compilations
There is a slight risk of excessive bleeding at the puncture site and an even smaller risk of infection.

Special Issues
It well known that good blood sugar control reduces the risk of long-term diabetic complications such as ischaemic heart disease (angina and heart attack), stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, and poor circulation. This test is useful when assessing how well controlled a diabetic person’s blood sugar is and may help to improve control and reduce these risks. It is not a reliable test when considering a diagnosis of diabetes, when a fasting blood sugar test is more useful.

Short Description
A random blood glucose test is done to assess blood sugar control in a known diabetic.

Keywords
random blood glucose, blood glucose, blood sugar