Point-of-Care Glucose Testing

A quick fingerstick collects a tiny drop of blood, which is placed on a test strip and read by a handheld glucose meter. You'll have a result in seconds, without waiting for an outside lab.

Dr. Golian reviews the number with you in the same visit and puts it in context with your symptoms, your medications, and any patterns you've noticed at home. When a longer-term picture is needed, this snapshot is paired with HbA1c testing or a complete metabolic panel, which reflects your average glucose over the preceding months.

Whether you should fast depends on the purpose of the test. A fasting glucose reading usually means no food or drink other than water for about 8 hours, while a random or symptom-driven check can be done anytime.

Let the office know what and when you last ate, and bring a current list of your medications. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medications, ask whether to adjust your timing before the visit so your result reflects your usual routine.

Because results are immediate, you and Dr. Golian can talk through next steps before you leave. A single reading is one data point, so it's often interpreted alongside your trends rather than on its own.

Depending on the result, follow-up may include confirmatory lab work, adjustments to a chronic disease care plan, or lifestyle changes around diet and activity. If you need specialized diabetes or endocrine care, we coordinate referrals including Cedars-Sinai here in Los Angeles.