HomeAnswersDiabetologyprediabetesMy random blood glucose level was 6.3 mmol/L. Does it indicate prediabetics?

Does a blood glucose level of 6.3 mmol/L indicates prediabetics?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At June 3, 2022
Reviewed AtJuly 19, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I had a glucose level of 112 mg/dL in an emergency ward blood test two weeks ago. I am trying to determine if I am prediabetic or if other factors caused it. Two weeks ago. I had two wisdom teeth removed under general anesthetic at around 4:00 PM. I drank a glass of chocolate milk at around 10:00 PM. I returned to the hospital at around 2:00 AM after active bleeding, which was stopped with medicated gauze, and I was discharged the following morning. But the hospital took blood work at around 2:00 AM, showing a glucose level of 112 mg/dL. (also, in case relevant, white cell count was high at 15.0, O2 saturation was low at 78%, and deoxyhemoglobin was increased by 20.6%). I am specifically worried about the glucose reading. The only thing I had was chocolate milk five hours before the test. I am worried that this glucose reading means I might be prediabetic. I have a GP appointment on Monday but am trying to find out what I can do in the meantime. Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and am sorry for such discomfort. You have mentioned a blood glucose level of 112 mg/dL after five hours of chocolate milk consumption. The value which you have discussed above is random blood glucose level. Normal random blood glucose levels should be below 200 mg/dL. To suggest a diagnosis of diabetes based on random blood sugar, the random blood glucose level should be above 200 mg/dL or higher. Still, your value is much lower than the above value, so nothing to worry about. I hope I am able to guide your query. Please follow up if you have any further related queries. Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. I understand that the benchmark for a diabetes diagnosis from a random glucose test is 200 mg/dL. However, I am still concerned that my level was 112 mg/dL as I wonder if it might indicate prediabetes, which may be indicated if glucose is between 100 mg/dL to 123 mg/dL on a fasting glucose test. I know that chocolate milk means that, technically, it was a random test rather than a fasting test. However, it was only one glass of chocolate milk, and it was about five hours before the test. So I am still wondering if I could be prediabetic. That being said, I am also wondering if other factors might have caused the high glucose level, such as the stress response either from surgery earlier in the day or from the stress of being taken back to the emergency ward. I would estimate that I did not lose more than around 200 ml of blood; however, it was a stressful experience. Some of my other blood results were outside of the normal ranges (low oxygen saturation, high white cells). I am still worried that I might be prediabetic. Lifestyle factors are that I do not exercise very much beyond walking for half an hour a day on average. I eat a lot of processed foods, and although I eat plenty of vegetables too, I also do not always get enough sleep. I am sorry that my query is quite convoluted. I have a telephone appointment with my doctor on Monday, but any further thoughts that you might have in the meantime would be appreciated. Kind regards.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have read your query in detail, and I will try to guide you well so that it helps you to lessen the worry or anxiety you are having due to the above value. Your value of 6.3 is the random blood glucose level which is normal and not in the diabetic range. To classify a person to be pre-diabetic, the following parameters should be met for pre-diabetic. Based on Fasting blood sugar level (FBS) - Fasting blood sugar levels from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. Based on postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) (two hours after food consumption) - After reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicates prediabetes. Your value is the random blood glucose level, and it is normal also, so you are not in the pre-diabetic range because the value should fall in the above range, and tests should be either FBS or PPBS. Factors such as lack of exercise, eating a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods, a lot of stress, inadequate sleep, etc., do contribute to the chronic increase in blood sugar levels; that is why lifestyle modifications are the first and very important intervention in the control of diabetes along with medications. Sir, if you want to know your pre-diabetic status, kindly do the following tests such as FBS (fasting blood sugar), PPBS (postprandial blood sugar), HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) test. If the above test value lies in the pre-diabetic range, it would only be confirmed as prediabetes. Here I would also like to address that please modify your lifestyle habits as it not only controls sugar level; but also keeps cholesterol level in check, good for overall being and keeps mental tension away and healthy living in all spheres of well-being. I hope you find my reply helpful. Please follow up if you have any further related queries about the other blood parameters value. Take care. Thanks.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat
Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat

Family Physician

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