CFS Glucose D/R

OVERVIEW

What is sugar (CSF) lab test?

The sugar test or glucose lab tests are indicated for measuring levels of glucose in CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). Glucose (blood sugar) serves as a primary and essential source of energy for body cells, and short-term energy source for nervous system & brain. CSF is clear fluid flowing in the space surrounding brain & spinal cord. Therefore, its level determination in body is essential.

What other sugar/glucose CSF lab tests are available?

Glucose CSF tests available include CSF gram stain, CSF culture (for checking bacteria or viruses), viral testing (checks for virus), CSF/plasma ratio (compare with blood plasma), CSF protein concentration (for brain or spinal cord disease), and CSF WBC count (for infections). 

Why is sugar (CSF) lab test done?

The test is performed as:

•             It screens & diagnose prediabetes (sugar levels too high but not high for diabetes) and diabetes

•             It detects hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) & hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

•             It helps detect infection & possible malignancy as low body fluid glucose acts as an indicator.

•             It is done for diagnosing tumors, delirium, bacterial infections, central nervous system inflammation, & for other neurological conditions.

•             Indicated in individuals showing symptoms of high or low glucose levels in CSF like severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, hallucinations, dementia, seizures, and flu-like symptoms.

•             It helps in monitoring of blood glucose levels

•             It helps evaluate whether the treatment given is effectively controlling diabetes

• A CSF sample is collected by lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
• Doctor withdraws CSF from lower back area. It takes less than 30 minutes.
• This CSF sample is collected in small test vial or test tube
• The sample is then sent to the laboratory and analyzed for sugar levels found in it.

1. Which foods should be avoided overnight before going for sugar test?

You must avoid food items like cereals, bread, fruit juices, & fried foods.

2. How often should a person be checking their blood sugar levels in a day?

It all depends upon severity of your condition. If type 2 diabetic, then you must take at least one reading in a day or in some cases taking readings seven times in a day is also indicated.

3. Is fasting required in glucose tolerance test?

Here no preparation is required prior to the test. You will simply be given sweet liquid before the test and must drink it. Then after 1 hour, blood is drawn, and sugar levels are checked.

4. If checking at home, at what times should blood sugar be checked?

You should check before taking a meal, 2 hours after eating a meal, if diabetes medication changes, if you start/stop/change medicine, when you wake up, before/after exercise, before going for bed, or when you sick.

5. Before FBS test, can I drink water?

Yes, you can drink water but nothing else for about 8 hours before the test

INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:

Sugar/glucose levels in CSF interpret:

• Normal: Between 50 to 80 mg/100ml (or greater than 2/3^rd of the blood sugar level).
• Abnormal low ranges indicate: bacterial infection, fungal infection, tumor, CNS inflammation, hypoglycemia, chemical meningitis, & subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the space between your brain and the thin tissue)

You get tested for diagnosing/screening hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia states in individuals.