Diagnosing Diabetes
Diabetes is diagnosed through a variety of tests. The most common tests used to diagnose diabetes are fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, and A1C test. Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to confirm a diagnosis.
Fasting Blood Glucose Test
This test measures your blood glucose level after an overnight fast. If your fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL or higher, you have diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This test measures your blood glucose levels after drinking a glucose-containing beverage. If your blood glucose level is 200 mg/dL or higher two hours after drinking the beverage, you have diabetes.
A1C Test
The A1C test measures your average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. If your A1C level is 6.5% or higher, you have diabetes.
Other Tests
Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes. These tests may include urine tests, cholesterol tests, and blood pressure tests. Your doctor may also use imaging technology to look for signs of damage to your blood vessels or organs, which can be a sign of diabetes.
Conclusion
Diabetes can be diagnosed through a variety of tests, including fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, and A1C test. Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to confirm a diagnosis. If you have any symptoms of diabetes, it is important to talk to your doctor and get tested.