Fasting Glucose is a way to check the sugar levels in your blood after you haven't eaten or drunk anything besides water for at least eight hours. This test gives a helpful picture of how well your body handles glucose, which is an important source of energy. When you eat, your body turns the food into glucose, which then travels through your bloodstream to your cells. A hormone called insulin, made by your pancreas, helps with this process by acting like a key that opens your cells, allowing glucose to enter and be used for energy. The fasting glucose test basically checks how well this energy-making process works when your body hasn't had any food for a while.
If Your Levels Are High
High fasting glucose levels might mean that your body is struggling to manage sugar levels properly. This could be due to various reasons, such as eating too many sugary foods or not getting enough exercise, feeling stressed, or taking certain medications like steroids. It's also possible that your pancreas isn't making enough insulin, or the insulin it makes isn't working as well as it should, which is called insulin resistance. High fasting glucose levels could potentially indicate prediabetes or metabolic syndrome, both of which involve higher than normal blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of High Levels
Symptoms of high levels of Fasting Glucose could include frequent urination, increased thirst, constant hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing sores or frequent infections.
If Your Levels are Low
Low fasting glucose levels might mean that your body is doing a great job at using glucose for energy, which could be due to a balanced diet, regular exercise, or a well-functioning metabolism. On the other hand, it could also mean that your body isn't getting enough glucose, possibly because of fasting for too long, taking certain medications, or engaging in intense physical activity. Some specific conditions that could lead to low fasting glucose levels include hormonal imbalances or problems with your liver's ability to produce glucose. Keep in mind that these factors are just some of the possible reasons for low glucose levels, and individual health can vary a lot.
Symptoms of Low Levels
Symptoms of low levels of Fasting Glucose may include feelings of weakness, dizziness, hunger, irritability, confusion, and sweating.