Glucose (Serum or Plasma) by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
This test measures the amount of glucose, a type of sugar, in your blood. It helps doctors check how well your body is using energy from food.
["This test helps monitor blood sugar levels for diabetes management or other metabolic conditions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 14759-5
- Short code
- Glucose 2h p Glc SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Glucose 2h p Glc SerPl-sCnc
- 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
Doctors may order a glucose test to diagnose or manage conditions like diabetes, to check for high or low blood sugar, or to evaluate metabolic health. It can also be part of routine check-ups for people at higher risk of blood sugar issues.
What to Expect Before the Test
For blood tests, you’ll typically have a small needle inserted into your arm or hand. The blood sample is collected into a tube. If fasting is required (e.g., for certain glucose tests), avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 8–12 hours beforehand. If fasting isn’t required, you can eat normally.
What Happens During the Test
The test involves drawing a small amount of blood, usually from your arm. The sample is then sent to a lab to measure glucose levels using a specialized method (HPLC in this case). The process takes a few minutes and is usually painless, though some may feel slight discomfort.
What the Results Mean
Results are compared to standard reference ranges, but exact values can vary by lab. High glucose levels may indicate diabetes or other metabolic disorders, while very low levels could signal conditions like hypoglycemia. Your doctor will interpret results in the context of your overall health.
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.
Glucose levels are critical for diagnosing diabetes (e.g., fasting glucose or HbA1c-related tests), assessing prediabetes, or monitoring complications like nerve damage (neuropathy) or kidney issues. Chronic high glucose can also damage blood vessels over time. Regular monitoring helps prevent long-term health problems.
Short name
Glucose Level
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Can I eat or drink before this test?
What if my glucose level is outside the normal range?
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