Dos And Don’ts Before A Diabetes Screening Test

By Author: Deepak Hegde
Total Articles: 16
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Dos and don’ts before a diabetes screening test
If a person is on regular diabetes medication, whether its pills or insulin injections, he will have to plan a little before going for a regular diabetes screening test. A diabetes screening test, whether it’s a random blood sugar test or a fasting test, requires certain preparations on the part of the patient before the test. A normal blood glucose reading would indicate a blood sugar level of 72 to 108 mg/dL when taken after fasting; and 140mg/dL when taken two hours after a meal.

Here are the dos and don’ts you need to follow before a diabetes screening test-

Dos:
·Fix an appointment at a reputed diagnostic centre in your city for your test and make sure that it is not disrupted by work or any other chore

·Fast for a period of 8-10 hours before the test if you’re going for a fasting test

·If you’re going for a random test, make sure you take the test two hours after you had your last meal

·Check with your physician if you’re allowed to have your diabetes medicine before a random blood glucose test

·Tell your ...
... physician at the diagnostic labwhat you had for your meal and when you had it before the test

·Carry your breakfast, diabetes medication and water with you on the day of your test, as a fasting test can drain you of energy and make you feel weak

·Take a glucose test at home before leaving and if it comes up to 70, reschedule your test for the next day and have breakfast

Don’ts:

·Wait too long for your turn at the diagnostic centre. Mention instead that you’d like to take the test as soon as possible, if you’re going for a fasting test

·Stop drinking fluids before your test. Drink a good amount of fluids to retain energy, but make sure they are non-caffeinated and devoid of sugars artificial or otherwise

·Expect your blood glucose levels to be normal and under control before and after the test, be it random or fasting. A little here and there is okay as long as the levels are not extremely high or extremely low

·Hesitate from asking your doctor when next to take your medicines after the test.Also ask if there are anychanges in dosage based on the results.

By following these simple dos and don’ts, you’ll ensure that your test goes smoothly without any hassles.
However, if you’re blood glucose levels remain very high normally, you may need to take extra precautions. Be sure to consult with your doctor in this regard; and make sure you pick up your reports on time from the diagnostic lab.

Deepak Hegde is an MBBS student, studying in a Chennai-based medical college. He understands well the role that a diagnostic lab plays when it comes to Kidney and liver tests, and wishes to share his information about the same. He also wants to inform you about the importance of such tests.