Glucose blood tests provide real-time blood sugar information, while HbA1c gives an indication of average blood sugar levels over a longer period of time. HOMA-ir insulin resistance measurement does require you to be sober.
Measuring blood sugar is important for people with diabetes and can also be useful for people without diabetes to monitor their health and diet.
Glucose measurement in the blood:
A fasting blood glucose test requires you to fast for 8 hours before your blood is drawn, usually in the morning. It measures glucose levels on an empty stomach.
It is also possible that you will not take a sober sample; the reference values for a non-sober sample are also on the lab report.
So it depends on what your doctor prescribes you to do.
Glucose (blood glucose or blood sugar):
Glucose is the direct measurement of the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood at a specific time.
It is often measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
You can measure it through a finger prick or a blood sample taken from a vein.
Glucose measurements are often taken to assess how high or low your blood sugar is at a specific time, such as before meals or to check if your sugar level is within the target range.
HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c):
HbA1c is a measurement of average blood sugar levels over a 2-3 month period.
It is an indicator of long-term control of your blood sugar levels and gives a better picture of your diabetes control than single snapshots of glucose measurements.
HbA1c is often expressed as a percentage and indicates how much of the hemoglobin in your red blood cells is bound to glucose. A lower percentage indicates better glucose control.
It is not usually used for acute treatment adjustments, but rather for assessing the long-term effectiveness of your diabetes management.
In short, glucose measurements provide information about your blood sugar at a specific time, while HbA1c is an indication of your average blood sugar over a longer period of time.
HOMA-IR
The Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is a calculation used to estimate the body's insulin resistance. Insulin resistance refers to the decreased sensitivity of body cells to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. HOMA-IR is calculated from fasting blood glucose levels and insulin
Measuring HOMA-IR can be useful in assessing insulin resistance and risk of diabetes, especially in people with elevated fasting blood glucose levels. It is often used in research and clinical practice to determine the degree of insulin resistance and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment strategies, such as diet, exercise and medication.
HOMA-IR is an estimate and not a direct measurement of insulin resistance, other factors may also play a role in assessing your health
