The Fructosamine Test: A fructosamine test can be done at your hospital or clinic when your physician indicates that there is a need for it. As monitoring, regulating, and controlling your blood sugar is essential for proper management of your diabetes, this diagnostic tool can prove to be an invaluable aid in helping your physician keep track of your progress.
Some of the situations which may indicate that a fructosamine test is the most appropriate measure of your blood sugar level include pregnancy, for diabetes in pregnancy is not only more difficult to regulate but can also lead to serious complications; instances of changes in treatment, when it is essential to have consistent and accurate knowledge of your blood sugar level; or the presence of medical conditions which can have an effect on your red blood cells. The need for a fructosamine test is generally recognized as the existence of such situations which may cause the diabetic’s blood sugar to be more difficult to regulate than it would be under more average circumstances.
The main purpose of a fructosamine test is to determine whether the blood sugar level has elevated, or whether it has become erratic. In the event that either problem has occurred, having these test results as soon as possible will aid your physician in deciding on the best course of treatment for you as soon as possible. The quicker that your blood sugar level can be stabilized and remain stable, the less likely it is that you will experience complications. This fact alone can make a fructosamine test a true life-saver, for acting quickly is the best means of ensuring that no needless complications arise.
If your physician has advised that you should have a fructosamine test, it is very important for you to follow his recommendations. In addition to this test itself, he should also have your complete medical history so that he is aware of any pre-existing conditions which could cause the test to be less than fully effective. He will also advise you in advance of the test that you should avoid consuming Vitamin C prior to having the test, because high levels of this in your blood will also interfere with the effectiveness of the test.
Even though the fructosamine test is not generally used as a standard, routine part of a diabetic’s care and treatment, there are some instances in which it is the best choice currently available in diagnostic tools. You may be surprised to learn that such a simple test can be of so much help in ensuring that your blood sugar level remains as stable as it should be for the sake of your overall health, and that it can quickly alert your physician to any changes which can then be immediately addressed.
If you are uncertain as to how relevant this is to your condition, it is simply a matter of keeping your physician informed and updated so that he can alter your diabetes treatment if the test results indicate that there is the need to do so.