Glucose measured in plasma (24-hour profile)
This test evaluates your blood sugar levels over a full day, helping track how your body manages glucose throughout your routine.
["Understanding your glucose levels over time can help manage diabetes or metabolic health."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 40037-4
- Short code
- Glucose 25h p chal SerPl-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Glucose 25h p chal SerPl-mCnc
- Category
- glucose
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 70
- Ref high
- 100
- Critical range
- 50 N/A – 400 N/A
- Fasting
- true
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 82947
- SNOMED
- 260395008
- 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
Why This Test Is Done
A 24-hour glucose profile is often recommended for people with diabetes to assess how their body responds to food, activity, and medications over time. It may also be used to evaluate prediabetes or to monitor metabolic conditions like hypoglycemia or insulin resistance.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll typically fast overnight before this test. Your healthcare provider may give specific instructions, such as avoiding certain foods or medications. A healthcare professional will collect blood samples from a vein in your arm at set intervals throughout the day.
What the Test Measures
This test measures the concentration of glucose (sugar) in your plasma over 24 hours. The results help identify patterns in your blood sugar levels, such as spikes after meals or low points during certain times of the day.
How Results Are Interpreted
Results are analyzed to compare your glucose levels against expected ranges for healthy individuals or those with diabetes. Patterns like repeated high or low readings may indicate issues with insulin function, diet, or medication.
Reference range
Fasting: 70-100 mg/dLN/A
Fasting for 8-12 hours required. Water is permitted. Avoid chewing gum and smoking before the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A 24-hour glucose profile provides a comprehensive view of how your body processes glucose, which is critical for diagnosing diabetes, assessing treatment effectiveness, or identifying metabolic disorders. It helps healthcare providers tailor diabetes management plans, including diet, exercise, and medication adjustments.
Short name
Glucose Profile (Plasma, 24-Hour)
Frequently asked questions
How often should I expect this test?
What does a normal glucose profile look like?
Can I eat or drink anything before the test?
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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy