how long do you fast for diabetes test

For a fasting blood glucose test, which is commonly used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes, you typically need to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test. This means no food or drink (except water) during this period. Fasting ensures that your blood sugar levels are not influenced by recent meals, providing a more accurate measurement.

However, for an A1C test, fasting is not required because it measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, regardless of recent meals.