Diabetes Mellitus:- Part 9 – Random Glucose (Diabetes mellitus) and Interpretation

Random Glucose (Diabetes mellitus)

What Sample is needed for a random Glucose?

• This is a random blood sample done on the serum or oxalate blood.

What are the factors on which the Random glucose level depends?

1. When and how much did you eat at your last meal?
2. This is the rough estimate of the glucose level.

What is the importance of random glucose levels?

1. Random blood glucose is without any relation to time or food.
2. This is done out of your normal routine testing.
3. This is always a nonfasting sample.

How will you interpret the random glucose levels?

1. If the random blood glucose level is above 200 mg/dL and the patient experiences increased thirst, polyuria, and polyphagia, diabetes mellitus is suggested.
2. Generally, two-hour glucose samples will reach the fasting level or fall within the normal range.

What will be the random blood glucose levels?

Random blood glucose levels:

1. Before the meal = 80 to 120 mg/dl (4.4 to 6.6 mmol/L).
2. After the meal and if the person is awake = 100 to 140 mg/dl ( 5.5 to 7.7 mmol/L ).
3. At bedtime = 100 to 140 mg/dl ( 5.5 to 7.7 mmol/L).

Normal Random glucose level = 80 to 140 mg/dL (4.4 to 7.8 mmol/L).

What is the reliability of random blood glucose?

• If it is above 200 mg/dL, it indicates diabetes.

What is the Interpretation of the fasting and random glucose levels?

Fasting glucose level	Normal range and need advice
80 to 120 mg/dL	Normal range and no need for any action
120 to 160 mg/dL	Slightly high and needs medical advice
160 to 240 mg/dL	It is high and needs medical advice and treatment
240 to 300 mg/dL	Too high and needs medical advice and treatment
Random glucose level
80 to 14 mg/dL	Normal and no need for any action
140 to 200 mg/dL	It is high and needs medical advice

What is the glucose level in prediabetic and diabetes mellitus?

Diagnosis	Fasting glucose level	Random glucose level	2-hour glucose level (in OGTT)	HbA1c
Prediabetics	100 to 125 mg/dL	140 to 199 mg/dL	40 to 199 mg/dL	5.7 to 6.4%
Diabetes mellitus	> 126 mg/dL	>200 mg/dL	>200 mg/dL	>6.5%

• Please see the details in the Fasting glucose level.

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