A fasting blood glucose test measures how much sugar (glucose) is in your blood after not eating for at least 8 hours.
Doctors often order this test to:
Screen for diabetes or prediabetes
Monitor blood sugar control
Understand symptoms like fatigue or thirst
This test looks at the amount of glucose in your bloodstream.
Glucose comes from:
The food you eat
Stored energy released by the liver
Your body uses glucose as its main energy source.
Fasting glucose ranges vary slightly by lab, but results are often grouped as:
Normal
Prediabetes range
Diabetes range
Your lab report will show your number and the reference range used.
Higher fasting glucose levels may be caused by:
Prediabetes or diabetes
Stress or illness
Poor sleep
Certain medications
One high reading alone does not confirm diabetes.
Low fasting glucose may be linked to:
Skipping meals
Certain medications
Hormone imbalances
Intense exercise
Mild low readings often resolve quickly.
Glucose levels can change due to:
Stress or anxiety
Illness
Poor sleep
Changes in diet
Lab timing
Day-to-day variation is normal.
Doctors may repeat this test if:
Results are borderline
Symptoms are present
Blood sugar trends need monitoring
Doctors often confirm results with repeat testing or an A1C test.
A slightly high or borderline fasting glucose level is very common.
Many people improve levels with small lifestyle changes.
Fasting blood glucose shows how your body handles sugar when you haven’t eaten.
Results are most helpful when looked at over time, not from one test.
You may want to read:
Hemoglobin A1C Explained
Insulin Blood Test Explained
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Explained
You can also use the navigation bar above to explore other blood test results.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk with a healthcare professional about your results.