Summary:
- Tests should only be done after an 8-10 hour fasting period (usually in the morning).
- The food consumed in the previous night should not have a high glycemic index component like rice.
- The person should be in a calm state of mind to prevent any stress-driven sugar spike.
- The area to be punctured for drawing blood must be adequately sanitised.
- Blood should not be exposed to the air for over a few seconds.
Fasting Period
The impact of the tasting period is very high on your blood sugar.
As the name suggests, the fasting blood sugar test requires fasting for at least 8 to 10 hours. Some experts even suggest fasting for 12 hours. The serum (blood) sample for this test is usually taken in the early morning when the body has already spent at least 8 to 10 hours in fasting mode.
However, to avoid the “dawn phenomenon,” which is a period of elevated blood sugar levels, avoid getting tested for fasting blood sugar (FBS) in the early morning. Otherwise, your FBS levels will be higher than their usual values.
Glycemic Index of Food
The most important factor that impacts your blood sugar is the food that you had before getting tested.
For Fasting Blood Sugar Tests, avoid eating high-GI and high-carb foods like Rice, Chapati, or any fruit (especially Pineapple and Watermelon). Diabetic people should avoid these foods at dinner because they cause elevated blood sugar levels throughout the night.
I came to know this during my second follow-up diabetic checkup when the FBS level blood glucose was 221 mg/dl, but the PPBS came out to be 215 mg/dl (usually FBS<PPBS). Later, I discovered that the rice pancake (dosa) I had last night caused this spike. FYI, I had sprouted mung beans and cucumber salad for breakfast.
For the Postprandial Blood Sugar test, it is also advisable not to eat any high-carb food. This is because blood sugar usually rises more quickly with the first diet of the day, so the morning breakfast should be a low-carb one. This is true for diabetics as well as for those getting tested for it.
I saw this during my first diabetic test when, unknowingly, I had a high calorific diet; Chhole-Bhature. In that test, my blood sugar spiked by 69 points (from 269 mg/dl to 338 mg/dl).
Mental Stress
Stress releases extra glucose in the blood, which is one of our evolutionary traits. Hence, when getting tested for blood sugar, the person should avoid any undue stress.
This has happened to me during my clinical visits, where I saw that due to stress, both my FBS and PPBS came out to be elevated (actual values of FBS 221 vs 190 and PPBS 250 vs 230).
To avoid getting stressed out, people should try breathing exercises like Bhastrika, and Anulom-Vilom.
Proper Sample Collection
When the sample is being collected in the clinic, most of the work is being done by experts and doesn’t require our active intervention. However, while testing at home, which most of us do, we should follow a few precautions.
Sanitize The Puncture Area
While testing, we should always make sure that the area is punctured for drawing blood and must be sanitised properly before using the lancing device. Dust or oils present on our skin often tend to compromise test results.
Also, while using a sanitizer, let it dry completely before using the lancing device to puncture your skin.
This might just be my own observation but I have seen my own blood sugar levels spike by 10 to 20 mg/dl if I do not allow the sanitizer to dry up 100% before puncturing. And yes, I do not like continuous blood monitoring devices.
Don’t Let Air Contaminate the Sample
Our blood gets rapidly contaminated while exposed to air. Hence, it is always advisable to get your equipment ready before puncturing yourself. As a precaution, it should not take more than 5 seconds after the puncture and before the blood is collected in your sugar testing machine.
Disclaimer: This article is purely based on personal experience and the knowledge accumulated over time. It does not amount to medical advice by any means. Any therapy, diet, or treatment plan should be undertaken in consultation with your doctor.
