Whole Blood Vs. Plasma Blood-Sugar Levels
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Definition
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There is a small difference between blood glucose and plasma glucose. While blood glucose refers to whole blood, plasma glucose is defined as the amount of glucose (sugar) found in just the liquid part of the blood, called plasma.
Whole Blood Sugar Levels
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Blood sugar levels tested in whole blood refers to the inclusion of red blood cells, white blood cells and leukocytes which are all suspended in the liquid called plasma.
Plasma Blood Glucose Levels
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Plasma blood glucose levels refer to the testing that is done on just the liquid portion of the whole blood, called plasma.
Significance
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A health care professional will determine which type of test you'd need. If you are a diabetic, you may already do your own testing at home. This would be a whole blood test, because you are pricking your finger and putting an entire drop of whole blood on the test strip. A doctor may need to know plasma glucose levels rather than whole blood because there may be something the doctor wants to test for. Many doctors prefer the fasting plasma glucose test over other tests because it's quick and reliable, according to DiscoveryHealth.com. When you have diabetes, glucagon (a hormone) will rise. This is easily detectable in plasma. If you don't have diabetes, the body will make insulin to combat the rise in glucagon.
How Often to Test
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How often a person tests his glucose levels depends on a few things--the lifestyle, if he is on insulin or if he takes oral treatments. Typically, how often a person tests will be determined by a health care professional. Talk with your doctor about what is right for you.
Results
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Glucose levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Normal results range from 70 to 100 mg/dl. Results 126 mg/dl or higher, may indicate diabetes but a doctor will want to retest to confirm. The glucose level may only vary slightly between whole blood and plasma blood tests, but will stay in the same range.
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