List All Test Names Beginning With:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Microbiology Sources | Microbiology Tests | Anatomic Pathology | Cytopathology

Glucose - Blood

Source Blood
Mnemonic Fasting: GLUF (Prompt: enter hours fasting)
Random: GLU
Specimen Requirements 1 x 3 mL or 4.5 mL light green (mint) top PST tube.  Gold top SST tube also acceptable.

0.2 mL plasma or serum

Minimum Whole Blood Volumes for Micro-Collections using Microtainers

Fasting Glucose requires a fast of at least 8 hours.


CLS Staff:
For fasting glucose, if patient is not fasting (or has not been fasting for 8 hours):
  • PSC and Outpatients: order GLU and collect the specimen. Enter hours fasting into the LIS. Note: this does not apply to Glucose Tolerance Test, in which a fasting specimen is required.
  • Inpatients: consult with nursing unit.
Specimen Handling Record time of collection on requisition and on specimen tube.

MUST be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection to ensure accurate results.
Additional Information For Diabetes Clinical Practice Guidelines, please see Canadian Diabetes Assn. 2008 C.P.G.

Testing Location Chemistry-All Sites
Rural: CRL
Testing Frequency Daily
Alternate Name(s) FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)
Reference Interval

 Fasting

Less than 30 days

2.5 - 5.5 mmol/L

30 days – 150 years

3.3 - 6.0 mmol/L

Random

Less than 30 days

2.5 - 11.0 mmol/L

30 days – 150 years

3.3 - 11.0 mmol/L

Click here for critical values.