Glucose & Diabetes

Glucose, Random

Q: What causes a high Glucose, Random?

Common causes of a high Glucose, Random: Diabetes; Recent meal; Stress hyperglycemia; Steroids.

Q: What causes a low Glucose, Random?

Common causes of a low Glucose, Random: Insulin excess; Fasting; Alcohol.

Q: What is a critical Glucose, Random value?

For Glucose, Random, the commonly taught critical (panic) value is: 400 mg/dL. Critical results are reported to the provider immediately under your facility's policy.

Normal range < 140 (non-fasting) mg/dL (< 7.8 mmol/L SI). Specimen: Serum or plasma.

Also known as: random blood sugar, RBS, casual glucose.

< 140 (non-fasting) mg/dLCritical value: read below

Reference range

This result is reported qualitatively or as a one-sided threshold rather than a two-sided numeric band.

Combined adult band. LabVals does not publish separate men's, women's, or pediatric ranges for Glucose, Random; those can be narrower than the band shown.

Glucose, Random reference range, specimen, and conversion details
Specimen	Serum or plasma
Conventional range	< 140 (non-fasting) mg/dL
SI range	< 7.8 mmol/L
Conversion factor	×0.0555 (conventional → SI)
Critical value	< 50 or > 400 mg/dL
Panel	Glucose & Diabetes

Convert any Glucose, Random result between units on the unit converter.

What is the normal range for Glucose, Random?

The standard teaching reference range for Glucose, Random is < 140 (non-fasting) mg/dL in conventional units, or < 7.8 mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum or plasma.

What is a critical Glucose, Random value?

For Glucose, Random, the commonly taught critical (panic) value is: < 50 or > 400 mg/dL. Critical results are reported to the provider immediately under your facility's policy.

Source: Adult reference values compiled from Pagana & Pagana, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, and Fischbach & Dunning, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

Above the range

What causes a high Glucose, Random?

Diabetes
Recent meal
Stress hyperglycemia
Steroids

What causes a high Glucose, Random? Read as its own page

Below the range

What causes a low Glucose, Random?

Insulin excess
Fasting
Alcohol

What causes a low Glucose, Random? Read as its own page

At the bedside

Nursing considerations

A random glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL with symptoms supports diabetes.

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More Glucose & Diabetes tests

C-Peptide0.8-3.1 ng/mL Glucose, Fasting70-99 mg/dL Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)4-5.6 %Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (2-hour)< 140 (normal) mg/dL