Protocol - Fasting Plasma Glucose - Glucometer

Description

This protocol provides basic information for measuring blood glucose concentrations using a glucose meter or glucometer. Participants are asked to fast for at least 9 hours (generally overnight) prior to the test.

Specific Instructions

If the 9-hour fast is not met, the Diabetes Working Group (WG) recommends that the test can still be completed as a "casual" glucose concentration (see protocol for casual glucose reference ranges for screening plus/minus Diabetes).

Note from the Diabetes WG: Rather than asking if the subject had anything to eat or drink after 11:30, the WG notes that is acceptable to record the current time and time when the subject last had anything other than plain water.

Note from the Diabetes WG: The investigator should record the reason(s) a sample person is excluded from the fasting plasma glucose test.

Note from the Diabetes WG: To aid comparability, the Diabetes WG recommends that the investigator record the make and manufacturer of glucometer used and the repeatability and coefficients of variation for the assay.

Note from the Expert Review Panel: Plasma or Serum

Collection of blood samples for the measurement of analytes requires a general determination of whether to use serum or plasma for the assay and also a determination of the type of collection tube to be obtained. For example, if plasma is to be used a determination needs to be made as to whether EDTA- or heparin-containing collection tubes are used. While comparable values are obtained for many analytes from either serum or plasma, there may be situations where differences are more pronounced, and serum- or plasma-specific norms will be needed for references. The protocol presented here uses EDTA plasma. At times, it may be possible to collect both, but other considerations, such as participant burden, may be the deciding factor. It is important to match assay type with sample type. Some automated devices may preclude the use of EDTA plasma, for example, while others may be optimized for it. Investigators should choose methods of collection that match the methods of analysis. This will best be done by communicating with the laboratory where the proposed assays will be performed. They will become an important partner with you in assuring that there is compatibility from collection to assays to interpretation and reporting of levels and results.

Availability

Available

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Protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

Persons will be excluded from this component if they:

• Report that they are taking oral medications for diabetes;

• Report that they are taking insulin;

• Report that they are pregnant;

• Report that they have hemophilia;

• Report that they have received cancer chemotherapy in the last 3 weeks; and

• Report that they have not fasted at least 9 hours.

SP = Sample Person.

1. Did you eat or drink anything other than plain water after [Insert time at 9 hours prior to sample collection] last night?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

[ ] Refused

[ ] Don’t Know

If answer is "No," then he or she has met the 9-hour fast. If answer is "Yes," "Don’t know," or "Refused," then the actual fasting time is unknown.

Confirmation Question:

2. Have you had any of the following since {insert time from 1 here}?

Coffee or tea with cream and sugar? [Include milk or non-dairy creamers.]