Can I take medication before measuring fasting blood glucose?
Disease description:
I need to have a medical check-up today, including a fasting blood glucose test. However, I have been taking fever-reducing medication recently. Can I take the medication before the fasting blood glucose test?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Bai Hongmei
It is generally not recommended to take medication before measuring fasting blood glucose. Fasting blood glucose refers to the blood glucose level measured after at least 8–12 hours without food intake, with only water allowed, and it accurately reflects the body's true fasting glucose level. Taking medications, especially hypoglycemic agents such as insulin or glibenclamide, before testing may lower blood glucose levels, leading to results that are lower than the actual fasting glucose level and failing to reflect the true glucose status of the body without medication influence. Conversely, certain other medications, such as glucocorticoids, may elevate blood glucose levels, and taking them before measuring fasting blood glucose could lead to falsely elevated results. Additionally, some compound formulations with complex ingredients may also indirectly affect blood glucose levels.
Therefore, to obtain accurate fasting blood glucose results, it is recommended to avoid taking medications before the test. If it is necessary to take medication due to special circumstances, patients should inform their doctor in advance about the names and dosages of the medications taken, so the doctor can consider the potential effects of the drugs on blood glucose and make an accurate assessment of the glucose status. At the same time, patients should ensure an 8- to 12-hour fast before the test, maintain adequate sleep, and avoid strenuous exercise to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
