Fasting Plasma Glucose

Fasting glucose measures blood sugar after an overnight fast. It is a common screening marker for prediabetes and diabetes.

The concentration of glucose in the blood after fasting for at least 8 hours.

To screen for diabetes and prediabetes, monitor glucose regulation, and assess metabolic health.

Results for fasting plasma glucose are reported as a numerical value with an associated unit of measurement. The unit depends on the laboratory and the assay method used. When comparing results from different labs, always confirm the units match before drawing conclusions about a trend.

This biomarker may be reported in any of the following units:

Reference ranges vary from laboratory to laboratory. They are established by each lab based on its own testing method, equipment, and the population it serves. A result that appears outside the reference range on one lab's report may fall within range on another's.

Ranges can also differ by age, biological sex, and other individual factors. Some labs report multiple reference ranges for different patient groups. Always interpret your result against the reference range printed on the specific lab report, not against a general value you find online.

A result flagged as “out of range” does not by itself indicate a medical condition. Discuss any results that concern you with a qualified healthcare professional.

Recent food intake, stress, illness, certain medications, and timing of the fast can affect results.

A single Fasting Plasma Glucose result is a snapshot. Tracking it over time is where the real insight lives. TrackMyMarkers lets you record every result from every lab, automatically aligning units so you can see genuine trends across months and years.

Longitudinal tracking helps you and your healthcare professional spot gradual shifts, see how lifestyle changes correlate with your numbers, and bring clear, organized data to every appointment.

Consider bringing these questions to your next appointment:

• How does my fasting glucose compare to my previous results?
• Should I consider a glucose tolerance test?

References and source citations will be added here. In the meantime, the information on this page is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.