Glucose (Serum or Plasma) by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
This test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood, typically drawn from a vein or collected in a tube from your arm.
["Glucose levels help monitor blood sugar and identify conditions like diabetes or metabolic issues."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 40219-8
- Short code
- Glucose 30H p chal SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Glucose 30H p chal 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 Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to check for high or low blood sugar levels, diagnose diabetes, evaluate how your body processes glucose, or monitor treatment for conditions like diabetes or liver disease. It can also help assess metabolic disorders or check for signs of dehydration or stress.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast (not eat or drink) for 8–12 hours before the test if it’s part of a fasting glucose study. If drawn from a vein, you’ll have a small needle inserted into your arm for a few minutes.
What Happens During the Test?
A healthcare professional will collect a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a precise method to measure glucose concentration.
What to Expect After the Test
You may feel slight bruising or discomfort at the injection site, but this usually fades quickly. You can resume normal activities immediately unless your provider gave other instructions.
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.
High glucose levels may indicate diabetes, prediabetes, or other metabolic disorders, while persistently low levels could signal hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), adrenal insufficiency, or other conditions. Regular monitoring helps manage these conditions effectively and prevent complications.
Short name
Glucose Level
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
What does a normal range mean?
Can I eat or drink before this 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