Blood Glucose Determinations Differ in Plasma and Serum
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 05 Jul 2012 |
Blood glucose determination is one of the most common clinical diagnostic tests and accurate and precise measurement of blood glucose is of great importance in the diagnosis and management of diabetes.
The concentration of glucose in the blood will continue to decrease over time after phlebotomy because of glycolysis, which will occur in erythrocytes, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets as these cells can continue to metabolize glucose.
Laboratory scientists at the University of Mysore, (Manasagangotri, India) investigated the effect of time and the method of processing of blood on the blood glucose levels. Blood from 30 different patients who came for routine blood glucose determination were used in the study. Whole blood was divided into three portions. One portion was allowed to clot. To the second portion, 2mg/mL sodium fluoride was added, and to the third portion, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA)–disodium salt was added.
Blood sugar was estimated using a blood sugar assay kit (Becton Dickinson, Bangalore, India). Optical Density (OD) of the colored complex was measured at 620 nm in an autoanalyzer. Blood sugar in these samples stored at room temperature was measured again after four hours and eight hours. The serum gave values lower than fluoride plasma by 1.15%. Although this difference was statistically significant, it may not be physiologically relevant. On storing the sample at room temperature for eight hours, the serum glucose value decreased by 8% and even fluoride plasma had 4.3% lower glucose.
The authors concluded that blood glucose should be determined within as short a time as possible after drawing the blood. The blood glucose values ranged from 76 to 410 mg/dL covering a wide range of blood glucose values that would be seen in any sample analysis. Serum may be a better sample for blood glucose determination particularly when there is a time delay in the measurement. If appropriate correction is applied, it may actually be a better sample than plasma. Moreover, many clinical analysis procedures require serum rather than plasma and therefore one single drawing of blood may suffice for even blood glucose estimation. The study was published online on May 14, 2012, in the Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis.
Related Links:
University of Mysore
Becton Dickinson
The concentration of glucose in the blood will continue to decrease over time after phlebotomy because of glycolysis, which will occur in erythrocytes, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets as these cells can continue to metabolize glucose.
Laboratory scientists at the University of Mysore, (Manasagangotri, India) investigated the effect of time and the method of processing of blood on the blood glucose levels. Blood from 30 different patients who came for routine blood glucose determination were used in the study. Whole blood was divided into three portions. One portion was allowed to clot. To the second portion, 2mg/mL sodium fluoride was added, and to the third portion, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA)–disodium salt was added.
Blood sugar was estimated using a blood sugar assay kit (Becton Dickinson, Bangalore, India). Optical Density (OD) of the colored complex was measured at 620 nm in an autoanalyzer. Blood sugar in these samples stored at room temperature was measured again after four hours and eight hours. The serum gave values lower than fluoride plasma by 1.15%. Although this difference was statistically significant, it may not be physiologically relevant. On storing the sample at room temperature for eight hours, the serum glucose value decreased by 8% and even fluoride plasma had 4.3% lower glucose.
The authors concluded that blood glucose should be determined within as short a time as possible after drawing the blood. The blood glucose values ranged from 76 to 410 mg/dL covering a wide range of blood glucose values that would be seen in any sample analysis. Serum may be a better sample for blood glucose determination particularly when there is a time delay in the measurement. If appropriate correction is applied, it may actually be a better sample than plasma. Moreover, many clinical analysis procedures require serum rather than plasma and therefore one single drawing of blood may suffice for even blood glucose estimation. The study was published online on May 14, 2012, in the Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis.
Related Links:
University of Mysore
Becton Dickinson
Latest Clinical Chem. News
- VOCs Show Promise for Early Multi-Cancer Detection
- Portable Raman Spectroscopy Offers Cost-Effective Kidney Disease Diagnosis at POC
- Gold Nanoparticles to Improve Accuracy of Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
- Simultaneous Cell Isolation Technology Improves Cancer Diagnostic Accuracy
- Simple Non-Invasive Hair-Based Test Could Speed ALS Diagnosis
- Paper Strip Saliva Test Detects Elevated Uric Acid Levels Without Blood Draws
- Prostate Cancer Markers Based on Chemical Make-Up of Calcifications to Speed Up Detection
- Breath Test Could Help Detect Blood Cancers
- ML-Powered Gas Sensors to Detect Pathogens and AMR at POC
- Saliva-Based Cancer Detection Technology Eliminates Need for Complex Sample Preparation
- Skin Swabs Could Detect Parkinson’s Years Before Symptoms Appear
- New Clinical Chemistry Analyzer Designed to Meet Growing Demands of Modern Labs
- New Reference Measurement Procedure Standardizes Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results
- Pen-Like Tool Quickly and Non-Invasively Detects Opioids from Skin
- Simple Urine Test Could Detect Multiple Cancers at Early Stage
- Earwax Test Accurately Detects Parkinson’s by Identifying Odor Molecules
Channels
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Revolutionary Blood Test Accurately Diagnoses Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), is a long-term debilitating illness that affects millions worldwide, including over 400,000 people in the UK. The condition causes... Read more
Stool-Based DNA Testing Leads to Timely Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, yet many patients delay colonoscopy due to hesitancy and long wait times. Long follow-up intervals after stool-based testing... Read moreHematology
view channel
Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more
Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments
Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more
Platelets Could Improve Early and Minimally Invasive Detection of Cancer
Platelets are widely recognized for their role in blood clotting and scab formation, but they also play a crucial role in immune defense by detecting pathogens and recruiting immune cells.... Read more
Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Blood Test Tracks Treatment Resistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because it spreads microscopically throughout the abdomen, and although initial surgery and chemotherapy can work, most... Read more
Luminescent Probe Measures Immune Cell Activity in Real Time
The human immune system plays a vital role in defending against disease, but its activity must be precisely monitored to ensure effective treatment in cancer therapy, autoimmune disorders, and organ transplants.... Read more
Blood-Based Immune Cell Signatures Could Guide Treatment Decisions for Critically Ill Patients
When a patient enters the emergency department in critical condition, clinicians must rapidly decide whether the patient has an infection, whether it is bacterial or viral, and whether immediate treatment... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Fast Noninvasive Bedside Test Uses Sugar Fingerprint to Detect Fungal Infections
Candida bloodstream infections are a growing global health threat, causing an estimated 6 million cases and 3.8 million deaths annually. Hospitals are particularly vulnerable, as weakened patients after... Read more
Rapid Sepsis Diagnostic Device to Enable Personalized Critical Care for ICU Patients
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection spirals out of control, damaging organs and leading to critical illness. Patients often arrive at intensive care... Read morePathology
view channel
Serially Testing Brain Tumor Samples Reveals Treatment Response in Glioblastoma Patients
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, known for rapid growth, recurrence, and resistance to treatment. Understanding how tumors respond to therapy remains challenging since imaging... Read more
High-Accuracy Tumor Detection Method Offers Real-Time Surgical Guidance
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are rare cancers that affect hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. Although uncommon, their incidence has been increasing, and surgery remains the only curative option.... Read moreTechnology
view channel
AI Algorithm Assesses Progressive Decline in Kidney Function
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 700 million people worldwide and remains a major global health challenge. The condition often progresses silently, and many patients remain undiagnosed until... Read more
Taste-Based Influenza Test Could Replace Nasal Swabs with Chewing Gum
Influenza is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases worldwide, claiming around half a million lives each year. What makes it particularly insidious is that flu viruses are contagious even before... Read more
3D Micro-Printed Sensors to Advance On-Chip Biosensing for Early Disease Detection
Early-stage disease diagnosis depends on the ability to detect biomarkers with exceptional sensitivity and precision. However, traditional biosensing technologies struggle with achieving this at the micro-scale,... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Terumo BCT and Hemex Health Collaborate to Improve Access to Testing for Hemoglobin Disorders
Millions of people worldwide living with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders experience delayed diagnosis and limited access to effective care, particularly in regions where testing is scarce.... Read more
Revvity and Sanofi Collaborate on Program to Revolutionize Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the pancreas’s insulin-producing beta cells, leading to dependence on insulin therapy. Early detection is critical... Read more
GSI Group Acquires Blood Processing Equipment Manufacturer GenesisBPS
Blood processing and storage are vital to healthcare and clinical practice, ensuring safe transfusions and cellular therapies. However, hospitals and laboratories worldwide face challenges in maintaining... Read more