Fructosamine Test- Why am I having this test?
The fructosamine test is a blood test to measure your average blood sugar (glucose) level over a period of 2–3 weeks. You may have this test to help determine if recent changes in your diabetes medicines are working to control your glucose level. This test is similar to the more commonly used hemoglobin A1c test.
What is being tested?
This test checks the amount of fructosamine in your blood, which is a substance that forms when glucose combines with protein in the blood. Your fructosamine level is a good indicator of your average blood glucose levels.
What kind of sample is taken?
A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.
Tell a health care provider about:
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any medical conditions you have.
- Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
How are the results reported?
Your results will be reported as a value that tells you how much fructosamine is in your blood. This will be given as micromoles of fructosamine per liter of blood (μmol/L).
Your health care provider will compare your results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, a common reference range may be 200–285 μmol/L.
What do the results mean?
If your result is within the reference range, then your average blood glucose level is in the normal range.
If your result is higher than the reference range, then your average blood glucose level is too high. This means that you and your health care provider may need to adjust your treatment plan.
Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
Questions to ask your health care provider
Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:
- When will my results be ready?
- How will I get my results?
- What are my treatment options?
- What other tests do I need?
- What are my next steps?
Summary
- Fructosamine is a substance that forms when glucose combines with protein in the blood.
- The fructosamine test is a blood test to measure your average glucose level over a period of 2–3 weeks.
- The fructosamine test is similar to the more commonly used hemoglobin A1c test.
- A result higher than the reference range means that your average blood glucose level is too high. Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
