Fasting blood glucose: This is a blood glucose test done after an overnight fast i.e. nothing to eat or drink from 10pm the night before. Normal (non-diabetic) fasting blood sugar levels are less than 5.6mmol/l
Fructosamine: is a substance created when glucose in the blood binds to a protein (amine). The Fructosamine blood test is similar to an HbA1c as is estimates the average amount of glucose in the blood. The difference between Fructosamine and HbA1c is that Fructosamine can give an average of blood sugars over the last 7 – 21 days, where HbA1c is the last 2 – 4 months.
Fructose: is the sugar found naturally in fruits, fruit juices, honey and some vegetables. Unlike glucose, which is processed throughout the whole body, fructose is metabolized (processed) entirely by the liver. Too much fructose over time can cause a medical condition called “fatty liver disease”, and deposits of “visceral fat” around certain organs in the body. “Fatty liver disease” is a high health risks and increases the risk of developing high blood pressure and kidney disease, as well as diabetes if you do not already have diabetes. Increased visceral fat (this is excess fat around the belly), is a sign of the “metabolic syndrome”, a collection of conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistance. These increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes if you are not already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.