: Fructosamine, Serum or Plasma, Substance Concentration
: Fructosamine is a blood test that reflects your average blood glucose over roughly the past two to three weeks. It is most often used to gauge short-term glucose control when hemoglobin A1c may not be reliable.
[": Fructosamine gives a short-term picture of blood sugar control over about two to three weeks."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 15069-8
- Short code
- Fructosamine SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Fructosamine SerPl-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 200
- Ref high
- 285
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What Fructosamine Measures
: Fructosamine is formed when glucose attaches to proteins in the blood, mainly albumin. Because these proteins turn over in a few weeks, the amount of fructosamine in your blood reflects your average glucose level over that shorter window rather than the longer two-to-three-month window of an A1c test.
: Why Your Clinician May Order It
: This test is often used when A1c results may be misleading, such as in conditions that affect red blood cells or hemoglobin, including some anemias, hemoglobin variants, pregnancy, or kidney disease. It can also help monitor diabetes control when a shorter feedback interval is useful.
: How the Test Is Done
: Fructosamine is measured in a blood sample, usually drawn from a vein in your arm. The sample is typically collected in a serum or plasma tube and analyzed in the laboratory to determine the concentration of fructosamine.
: What Results Can Mean
: In general, higher fructosamine values suggest higher average glucose over the preceding weeks, while lower values suggest better control. Results are interpreted by your clinician alongside your glucose logs, medications, and other tests; there is no single number that applies to everyone, so your care team will explain what your result means for you.
Reference range
NCBI: Fructosamine 200-285 µmol/LN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Fructosamine provides an intermediate-term index of glycemic control and is clinically useful when A1c is unreliable due to red cell or hemoglobin issues. It reflects the glycation of serum proteins such as albumin, so conditions that alter protein levels or turnover can affect results. Clinicians interpret fructosamine in the context of the individual patient's goals and other glucose measurements.
Short name
: Fructosamine
Frequently asked questions
: Is fructosamine the same as hemoglobin A1c?
: Do I need to fast before a fructosamine test?
: Can anything other than blood sugar affect my fructosamine result?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy