Fasting blood sugarFBS, Fasting plasma glucoseFasting blood sugar is the glucose level in blood after at least eight hours without food or sweetened drink. It is the simplest and cheapest test for diabetes, and one of the three that can diagnose it.
Glucometer
Also known as Blood glucose meter, Glucose meter, Sugar machine
A small home device that measures blood sugar from a fingerprick drop of blood in a few seconds.
It is the single most useful piece of equipment a person with diabetes can own.
Getting reliable readings
- Wash and dry hands first — fruit or food residue on a finger can give a wildly high reading
- Use the side of the fingertip, not the pad, which hurts less
- Rotate fingers
- Check strips are in date and stored with the lid closed
Related terms
- Postprandial blood sugarAfter-meal blood sugar, PP sugarBlood sugar measured two hours after starting a meal. It shows how well your body handled that particular food.
- Continuous glucose monitorCGM, Flash glucose monitorA small sensor worn on the arm or abdomen that measures glucose continuously and sends readings to a phone, without fingerpricks.