What your BGL results mean
Your BGL (Blood Glucose Level)
• How do you find out?
• What do the numbers mean?
The only way to know your BGL (blood glucose level) is through a blood test.
The sample can be taken by a GP or at a pathology laboratory.
You may be asked to fast for the test or it could be taken without fasting
(random).
The diagnosis of diabetes, or pre-diabetes (which is also know as Impaired
Fasting Glucose - IFG or Impaired Glucose Tolerance – IGT must always be
made on a laboratory test. The laboratory test is based on a blood sample
taken from the vein (venous plasma sample). A finger prick test is not
adequate for the diagnosis of these conditions.
Did your blood glucose test require fasting?
Fasting results:
• If your BGL reading was less than 5.5
Diabetes is unlikely.
It is recommended that you retest your BGL in three years.
• If your BGL was between 5.5 - 6.9
The results require further investigation. An Oral Glucose Tolerance test
(OGTT)* should be taken.
The OGTT could show a) diabetes is unlikely b)
definite diabetes or c) a condition called pre-diabetes
(also known as Impaired Fasting Glucose - IFG or Impaired Glucose Tolerance
– IGT. Both IFG and IGT are risk factors for diabetes so the OGTT should be
repeated in one year.
*This test requires fasting, then a special glucose drink and a blood test
taken two hours after.
• If your BGL was over 7.0
Another fasting test is required.
If these results show a BGL of 7.0 and over then you have diabetes.
If these results show a BGL of less than 7.0 an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
(OGTT)* should be taken.
*This test requires fasting, then a special glucose drink and a blood test
taken two hours after.
Or was your blood glucose test random and without fasting?
Random results:
• If your BGL was less than 5.5
Diabetes is unlikely.
It is recommended that you retest your BGL in three years.
• If your BGL was between 5.5 – 11.0
An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)* is required.
The OGTT could show a) diabetes is unlikely b) definite diabetes or c)
conditions called Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or Impaired glucose
tolerance (IGT). Both IFG and IGT are risk factors for diabetes so the OGTT
should be repeated in one year.
• If your BGL was 11.0 and over
A fasting test is required.
If these results show a BGL of 7.0 and over then you have diabetes.
If these results show a BGL of less than 7.0 an Oral Glucose Tolerance
Test (OGTT)* should be taken.
*This test requires fasting, then a special glucose drink and a blood test
taken two hours after.
Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of diabetes, or pre-diabetes.
If you have further queries regarding your results, please contact one of
our diabetes educators on 1300 136 588.
You can ascertain whether you are at risk of diabetes by answering
the risk assessment questions.
• I am of Chinese, Indian or Pacific Islander heritage and over 35
• I have a high blood pressure
• I have heart disease
• I have a family history of diabetes
• I am overweight
• I have had diabetes in pregnancy
• I am over 55
• I am Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and over 35
• I have polycystic ovary syndrome
If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, consult
your GP.
