Question

List two reasons for performing a fasting blood glucose test?

1) To diagnose diabetes
2) To monitor blood sugar levels
3) To check for insulin resistance
4) To assess risk of cardiovascular disease

Answer 1

The fasting blood glucose test is primarily performed to diagnose diabetes mellitus by detecting high blood sugar levels after a period of fasting and to monitor hormone resistance. The glucose tolerance test (GTT) may follow if diabetes is suspected despite normal fasting glucose levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

Two reasons for performing a fasting blood glucose test are:

1. To diagnose diabetes mellitus, as it helps in identifying hyperglycemia, which is a condition where high blood sugar levels are observed after fasting.
2. To monitor blood sugar levels and assess hormone resistance, such as in Type 2 diabetes where the body's cells do not respond to normal amounts of insulin, resulting in excessive glucose levels in the bloodstream.

The glucose tolerance test (GTT) is an additional procedure performed after the fasting blood glucose test, especially when the patient has normal fasting glucose levels but still suspects diabetes mellitus. GTT helps to assess whether there is an abnormal spike in blood glucose levels after the intake of glucose, indicating intolerance to glucose, which is a characteristic of diabetes mellitus.