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Plasma Glucose Vs. Whole Blood Glucose

For people with diabetes, measuring glucose levels is an important part of managing the disease. Because plasma glucose and whole blood glucose numbers differ, it's important to know what they mean.

  1. Background

    • Plasma is the liquid part of whole blood. Because plasma is denser than whole blood, plasma glucose numbers are about 10 to 12 percent higher than whole blood glucose numbers, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center.

    Plasma Glucose

    • Glucose tests taken at a doctor's office measure plasma glucose. To measure plasma glucose, the laboratory spins the tube of whole blood in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the red blood cells.

    Whole Blood Glucose

    • Traditionally home glucose meters measured whole blood glucose. However, in recent years meters have become available that measure plasma glucose.

    Considerations

    • The advantage of measuring plasma glucose at home is that you are comparing the numbers with the same type of measurement that your doctor uses.

    Note

    • Plasma glucose may also be called serum glucose.

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