Diabetes test Glucose of 6.1

[JammyGeorge]

I had a thread a couple of days ago explaining I'd had a load of tests running following the discovery of an ectopic heartbeat.

I've had a blood test back with a glucose level of 6.1 from a test taken along with loads of others at about 10 in the morning - I'm pretty sure I had breakfast but I can't remember for certain.

The doctor has called me back for a fasting blood test. When I've googled I'm confused with the numbers and different tests.

Are there any people knowledgeable about these things that can help explain? Is 6.1 high?

An HbA1c of 6.1 is in the "prediabetes" range, blood tests for this are usually fasting, which is why your GP wants you to go back for a fasting test. Ideally, it should be below 6, and hopefully the fasting test will give a lower result. If not, there are ways to reduce it, maybe going low carb - this will drop your blood glucose levels quickly.

I've done some more research today and rang the docs again.

I asked if it was a hba1c and she said no my test was labelled a "plasma glucose blood level". Perhaps the receptionist doesn't know the different tests?

When I looked at the levels for a random plasma glucose test (sounds the same to me) it said anything up to 11 is ok.

I think I'm going to ask the doctor to ring me and explain. From what I've read a hba1c gives an average over a few weeks so why retest it after fasting? I am perplexed.

I've done some more research today and rang the docs again.

I asked if it was a hba1c and she said no my test was labelled a "plasma glucose blood level". Perhaps the receptionist doesn't know the different tests?

When I looked at the levels for a random plasma glucose test (sounds the same to me) it said anything up to 11 is ok.

I think I'm going to ask the doctor to ring me and explain. From what I've read a hba1c gives an average over a few weeks so why retest it a few days later? I am perplexed.

Oh my phones double posting!!!

No, you're right. An hba1c doesn't need to be fasting. But if they are doing a normal finger prick test, it DOES need to be fasting. I've never actually heard of a plasma glucose test, but I am guessing it is a similar or same test to a finger prick test.
The only time I need to have my hba1c fasting is when I am having other tests done too.

I'm not being funny, but my GP wouldn't necessarily know the difference. I'm a type 1 diabetic.

If it IS the same as afinger test, then when fasting, this needs to be below 6. Closer to 5.

I think it's the same as a finger prick test from my limited googling but I suppose it's all about terminology. If I had fasted then it would be a touch high but I didn't!

It sounds like it was just a random blood glucose test. I don't think 6 is anything to worry about after breakfast but a fasting test or hba1c would provide more conclusive evidence that you are not at risk of diabetes.

Normal blood glucose numbers
Fasting
Normal for person without diabetes: 70–99 mg/dl (3.9–5.5 mmol/L)
2 hours after meals
Normal for person without diabetes: Less than 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L)
HbA1c
Normal for person without diabetes: Less than 5.7%
You have nothing to worry about. I regularly check my glucose level with special strips, bought with accu-chek comfort curve coupon and my results are almost always 6-7. But if you worry so much then it's better to discuss it with your GP.

So I managed to speak to someone sensible at the doctors surgery.

I had a random blood sugar test which came out at 6.1 probably due to eating before I took the test - I think I ate something about 1 - 1.5 hours before, I certainly could of eaten late the night before as well, defo in the last 12 hours. They insist this is borderline.

They have asked me to return on Thursday for a fasting blood sugar test and a hba1c which they'll do at the same time.