Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis

  • Diabeties
    Diabetes
    Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body has difficulty regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar level.  The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in developing countries. While the causes are complex, but the increase is in large part due to rapid increases in overweight, including obesity and physical inactivity. There is good evidence that a large proportion of cases of diabetes and its complications can be prevented by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 1 November 2015
Stock pic of a prick on a finger to test blood sugar levels

Testing for diabetes is essential in identifying individuals with the condition or those at risk. Various tests are available to diagnose diabetes and assess blood sugar control. Here are some common tests for diabetes:

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): This is a blood test that is done first thing in the morning. You have to fast for eight hours before the test. You are allowed to drink water. 

  • If your fasting blood glucose is 100 mg/dL - 125 mg/dL you are considered Prediabetic.
  • If it is 126 mg/dL or more in two or more tests, you are considered to have diabetes.

Oral GlucoseTolerance Test (OGTT): This test checks your blood glucose level before and two hours after you are given a sweet drink. This tells the doctor how your body is processing glucose.

  • If the blood glucose level is 140 mg/dL -199 mg/dL, you are considered to be prediabetic.
  • If it is greater than 200mg/dL, you are diagnosed as having diabetes.

HbA1c: This test measures your average blood glucose levels over the last two to three months.

  • A result of 5.7 -6.4% indicates Prediabetes while
  • 6.5 % and above indicates diabetes.
Community
Diabetes
Condition
Diabetes

Stories

  • What is the connection between Diabetes and Diarrhea?
    Diabetic diarrhoea commonly occurs in people with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes and can pose several challenges related to bowel movement, including constipation and fecal incontinence. Dr Shital Raval gives an overview. Diarrhea is a common and bothersome complication of diabetes. It is commonly seen in diabetic patients who have poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes and also a history of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. The diarrhea comes and goes with periods of…
  • A woman outdoors in tights and running shoes holding her calf
    Leg Cramps - Causes and Prevention Tips
    Do you sometimes get sudden cramps in your calf or toe muscles? Dr. Shital Raval explains the causes and tips to get rid of leg cramps and to prevent them  Leg cramps or Charley horse (term used mainly in Canada and the US) is a common but harmless condition experienced by most individuals. These are sudden painful contractions of the leg muscles often in the calf area. They can last for seconds to a few minutes and rarely last more than 10 minutes. हिंदी में पढ़ें: पैर में ऐंठन -…
  • 7 Tips for Living with Chronic Illness
    Usha Jesudasan, who is affected by polio, diabetes and breast cancer, is a prolific writer of inspirational books and articles. Here, she advises on a holistic approach to cope with the diagnosis of chronic illness and move forward without letting life crumble. Sitting across from the doctor’s table, I hear him say something. “It is what we call a chronic disease.” 1. Your Attitude Matters Chronic disease? The doctor explained: “A chronic disease is one which continues for a long time. There is…
  • 11 Questions That You Always Wanted to Ask the Urologist
    Dr Vinit Shah, an eminent Urologist from Mumbai, helps us understand frequently asked concerns about urology and men’s health. What are the five most common urological conditions you see in daily practice? The commonest problems we seen in our daily practice are prostate, stones, urinary infections, urinary incontinence and male sexual problems. What are the different causative factors of infertility? Male infertility can have several factors. You can have pre-testicular causes due to hormonal…
  • Why is Potassium Level Important?
    This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Raval takes a look at the importance of Potassium levels in the electrolyte panel. Read the first part on Sodium Levels  POTASSIUM: Potassium is both a mineral and electrolyte. It is important for heart, muscle, digestive and nerve functioning.  The potassium test is often part of a routine or done to check on the electrolyte balance of the body. The best sources of potassium are: Leafy greens such as swiss chard,…
  • The Importance of Electrolyte Balance - Sodium
    This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Patel takes a look at our electrolyte levels in our blood. An electrolyte imbalance, commonly caused by loss of body fluids through prolonged vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating or high fever, can result in various health disorders, like restlessness, anxiety, kidney diseases or even cardiac arrest. An Electrolyte Panel is a blood test that measures the common minerals in the body such as sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium,…
  • Physical Activity and Exercise Can Help Keep Mental Illness in Control
    Exercise and yoga can improve quality of life for people with mental illness and reduce risks of strokes, diabetes, auditory hallucinations and other health problems, informs Dr R Padmavati, Additional Director, Schizophrenia Research Foundation. World Health Organisation defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity is not just "exercise". Exercise, is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned,…
  • 7 Common Questions on Diabetes Diet Answered
    Dietitian Ujjwala Baxi of Poshan - Cure thru Diet addresses some common concerns about Type 2 diabetes 1. With summer upon us, we cannot ignore mangoes. Can a person with Type 2 Diabetes have mangoes, and if so, how many a day? This is also a very frequently asked question, specially from the mango lovers. If you are fantasising about mangoes, the basic advice is to eat in moderation. First you should check the blood sugar. If blood sugar is around 6.5, then u can have a piece of mango. But…
  • What does NAFLD mean for people with diabetes or hypertension?
    WORLD LIVER DAY Did you know Type 2 diabetes (T2D), insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic syndrome and NAFLD (Non Alchoholic Fatty Liver Disease) are particularly closely related? Dr Parijat Gupte, Consultant Hepatologist or Liver Specialist, provides us with a basic knowledge on NAFLD and what it can signify. What Is NAFLD? In simple terms, NAFLD or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is abnormal or excess accumulation of fat in the liver. Normally, liver does not contain more than 0-5% fat.…
  • 15 Important Facts you should know about Depression
    The theme of the World Health Day 2017 is ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’. Encourage people with depression to talk about their feelings. Depression can easily be treated with psychological therapies and medicines. Learn about these and some other basic information on depression issued in public interest by SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation). The wounds of depression are unseen, but they hurt more than the ones that bleed. Seek professional help and get better. Facts about Depression…