Daily Blood Glucose Profile

The blood glucose daily profile (synonym: glucose daily profile) is used to detect impaired glucose utilization and in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (diabetes). Three blood glucose determinations are made during the course of a day.

The procedure

A distinction is made between two methods of measurement:

Enzymatic measurement method – is carried out in the laboratory with various additives.
Reflectometric measurement method – this method is performed in self-monitoring or in emergency medicine by taking blood from the earlobe or fingertip.
For the determination of the values blood plasma / bluserum or whole blood is needed

Both methods are very accurate.

Material needed

Serum (optimal: after clotting immediately abseren, immediate forwarding to a laboratory).
Heparin plasma
Fluoride tubes (sodium fluoride, NaF)

Procedure

The first blood sample is taken in the morning at 8 a.m.; for this purpose, the patient must be fasting, which means that he or she must not have eaten for at least eight hours beforehand
The second and third blood samples are taken at 12 noon and 4 p.m. respectively

Normal values

Glucose fasting value

Plasma, venous	Whole blood (capillary, hemolyzed)	Assessment
< 100 mg/dl(< 5.6 mmol/l)	< 90 mg/dl(< 5.0 mmol/l)	Normal
100-125 mg/dl(5.6-6.9 mmol/l)	90-109 mg/dl(5.1-6.0 mmol/l)	Impaired fasting glucose
≥ 126 mg/dl(≥ 7 mmol/l)	≥ 110 mg/dl(≥ 6.1 mmol/l)	Diabetic

Glucose values from 12 and 4 p.m.

Plasma/serum	Whole blood	Rating
< 130 mg/dl	< 130 mg/dl	normal
130-179 mg/dl	130-179 mg/dl	borderline
≥ 180 mg/dl	≥ 180 mg/dl	Diabetic

Conversion factor

Mg/dl x 0.0555 = mmol/l
Mmol/l x 18.018 = mg/dl

Indications

Detection of impaired glucose utilization.
Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

Interpretation

If values are borderline or diabetic, further diabetes diagnostics are performed to rule out diabetes mellitus (diabetes). This includes an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) and determination of HbA1c (long-term glucose value).