Fructosamine

The fructosamine serum test measures the concentration of fructosamine in the blood.

The fructosamine serum test is done for several reasons, such as:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes treatment and adjust the dosage of insulin or oral medications if needed.

• To monitor glycemic control in people with diabetes who have conditions that affect the hemoglobin A1c test, such as pregnancy, anemia, hemoglobin variants, or recent blood transfusions.

• To monitor glycemic control in people with diabetes who have rapid changes in blood glucose levels, such as due to infections, stress, surgery, or dietary changes.

• To diagnose diabetes or prediabetes in people who have symptoms of high blood sugar or risk factors for diabetes.

The fructosamine serum test may be recommended in the following situations:

• When a person with diabetes has a hemoglobin A1c test result that does not match their blood glucose levels or their symptoms.

• When a person with diabetes has a condition that affects the hemoglobin A1c test, such as pregnancy, anemia, hemoglobin variants, or recent blood transfusions.

• When a person with diabetes has rapid changes in blood glucose levels due to infections, stress, surgery, or dietary changes.

• When a person has signs or symptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar, such as thirst, hunger, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, sweating, shakiness, or confusion.

 • When a person has risk factors for diabetes, such as family history, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or polycystic ovary syndrome.

• High fructosamine levels: This may indicate poor glycemic control in people with diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes in people without diabetes. High fructosamine levels may increase the risk of diabetic complications, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, or cardiovascular disease.
• Low fructosamine levels: This may indicate good glycemic control in people with diabetes or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with or without diabetes. Low fructosamine levels may also be caused by conditions that reduce the amount of proteins in the blood, such as liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, or excessive bleeding.

The fructosamine serum test is a simple blood test that involves the following steps:

• A healthcare professional will clean a small area of skin on your arm with antiseptic and insert a needle into a vein. When the needle is inserted, you can feel a tiny pressure or pain.
• The healthcare professional will collect a small amount of blood into a tube or syringe and remove the needle. 
• The healthcare professional will apply pressure and a bandage to stop any bleeding and prevent infection.
• The blood sample will be analyzed at a laboratory.

The fructosamine serum test does not require any special preparation. However, you should inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications, supplements, or herbal remedies that may affect your fructosamine levels or your blood glucose levels. You should also inform your healthcare provider if you have any medical conditions that may affect the test. You may be given special advice on how to prepare for the test by your healthcare practitioner.

• Blood glucose test: To measure the amount of glucose in the blood at a specific time.
• Hemoglobin A1c test: To measure the percentage of hemoglobin that is coated with glucose in the blood, reflecting the average blood glucose levels over the past three months.
• Urine glucose test: To measure the amount of glucose that is excreted in the urine, indicating high blood sugar levels.
• Urine ketone test: To measure the amount of ketones that are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy, indicating low insulin levels or diabetic ketoacidosis.