Diabetes
Adjusting your diabetes medicine and diet for a fasting blood test
The goal is to prevent low blood sugar and treat it, if needed.
When you do your fasting blood test, have it as early in the morning as possible.
Day before your test
The day before your test, take your diabetes medicine (such as pills, insulin, or other medicines you inject) as usual or as your healthcare provider tells you.
Day of your test
On the morning of the test, only take your morning diabetes medicine if you take a basal insulin, such as Humulin N, Novolin NPH, Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo, Levemir or Tresiba. Take these medicines at your regular time.
If you take any other diabetes medicine in the morning, don’t take them on the day of your test.
Test your blood sugar level before you leave home. If your blood sugar level is below 4.0 mmol/L, treat it, eat a meal, and have your blood test another day.
If your blood sugar level is what it should be, you can go to your blood test. Bring the following with you to your test:
- a source of fast-acting sugar
- your blood glucose meter
Test your blood sugar level at the lab. If your blood sugar level is low, please tell the person doing your blood test.
After your blood test
Test your blood sugar level before you leave the lab. Make sure it’s above 4.0 mmol/L before you drive. If it’s below 4.0 mmol/L, treat with 15 grams of carbohydrates then retest. If it’s still low, treat again.
Having a low blood sugar level can impair your driving skills, meaning they aren’t as sharp as usual. If you plan to drive after you treat a low blood sugar level:
- Wait 40 minutes before you drive.
- Make sure your blood sugar is 5.0 mmol/L or more before you drive.
You can take your usual morning diabetes medicine after the test is done and when you’re ready to eat.
To find out more about diabetes and driving, ask your healthcare team.
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/pages/conditions.aspx?Hwid=custom.ab_diabetes_fastingbloodtest_inst.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: October 21, 2021
Author: Endocrinology and Metabolism Program, Alberta Health Services
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
