Glucose, Serum (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)
This test measures the amount of glucose, a type of sugar, in your blood serum. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy.
["Glucose levels help doctors check how well your body is using food for energy and managing conditions like diabetes."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 20437-0
- Short code
- Glucose 3h p Glc SerPl-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Glucose 3h p Glc 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 Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may request this test to monitor blood sugar levels, diagnose conditions like diabetes, or assess how your body responds to treatments. It can also help check for metabolic issues or detect signs of high blood sugar, such as during pregnancy or after eating certain foods.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed for this test. You may have a small needle inserted into your arm to draw a blood sample. If fasting is required (e.g., for certain glucose-related tests), your provider will let you know in advance. Avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 8–12 hours before the test if instructed.
What Happens During the Test
A healthcare professional will clean your arm with an antiseptic and insert a small needle to collect blood from a vein. The blood sample is then sent to a lab for analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a precise method to measure glucose concentration accurately.
What the Results Mean
Results are typically reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). While exact ranges vary by lab and clinical context, abnormal results may signal low or high blood sugar levels, which can affect how your body processes energy or indicate underlying health concerns.
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.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Glucose Level
Frequently asked questions
What Does a High or Low Glucose Level Indicate?
How Does This Test Relate to Diabetes?
Can This Test Detect Prediabetes?
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