|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

Difference Between Blood Glucose & Plasma Glucose

Often used interchangeably, blood glucose and plasma glucose represent the amount of sugar (glucose) circulating in your body before, during and after meals. While you may see the two terms used interchangeably, subtle differences exist.

  1. Significance

    • Too much blood glucose may mean you have hyperglycemia, according to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Too little blood glucose circulating may mean you have hypoglycemia.

    Features

    • Essentially, plasma is blood minus the red blood cells present in blood. Plasma is the yellow fluid responsible for transporting proteins, electrolytes and glucose.

    Glucose Measurement

    • At home glucose tests typically measure the amount of glucose in whole blood. Your doctor's laboratory, on the other hand, will measure blood sugar levels by testing plasma.

    Accuracy

    • Plasma glucose levels present a more accurate measure of glucose circulating in the blood. Lab tests that measure plasma levels range between 10 and 15 percent higher than glucose based on whole blood, explains the Food and Drug Administration.

    Considerations

    • If you're shopping for a blood meter, see if the meter provides "plasma equivalent" values. A meter that provides this value will help you easily compare your home results with your lab results, says the Joslin Diabetes Center.

Diabetes - Related Articles