Does venous blood have a higher glucose level than capillary blood?

by Lucy

QUESTION: If I measure my blood sugar while finger pricking, does venous blood have a higher glucose level than capillary blood results I get?


ANSWER: Hi Lucy,

With regards to your question, the answer is "No". On contrary, venous blood has lower glucose level than the capillary blood.

In fasting individuals, the glucose concentration in the artery, capillary and vein is almost similar (Venous blood glucose level is around 2-5mg/dl lower than the capillary/arterial blood).

After meals, the difference between the capillary and the venous blood is significant, because the capillary blood taken through finger prick is primarily arterial.

So, during the glucose uptake in the tissues, the level of glucose in the capillary blood will be higher (up to 80mg/dl higher) than the venous blood.

All the best!

Dr.Alba




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Does venous blood have a higher glucose level than capillary blood?

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Jul 18, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Great but for the typo
by: S Venkatraman

When you say that after meals the capillary blood glucose count can be up to 80 mgdl higher than of the Venous sample, I suppose you actually meant 8 mgdl!
Jul 19, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mistake Explained!
by: Dr.Alba

Hi Venkatraman,

With regards to your note, I want to clarify that we are mentioning "up to 80 mg/dl", which include every figure in between the intervals of 0 - 80 (including 8 or more) depending on the time the measurement are done.

We do thank you for your note, and encourage to write to us for any other concern you might have.

All the best!

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