Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the body's ability to process and use glucose (sugar). It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes in order to properly diagnose the condition.
The most common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, feeling very thirsty, extreme hunger, blurry vision, mood swings, unexplained weight loss, slow healing of cuts and bruises, fatigue, and tingling of the hands and feet. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor right away and get tested for diabetes.
The diagnosis of diabetes is usually made through a combination of a physical exam, a medical history, and a series of blood tests. The most common blood tests used to diagnose diabetes are the fasting blood sugar test, the A1C test, and the oral glucose tolerance test.
The fasting blood sugar test measures the amount of glucose in your blood after you have fasted (not eaten) for at least eight hours. A normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dl. If your blood sugar level is over 126 mg/dl after the fasting blood sugar test, you may be considered to have diabetes.
The A1C test measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin in your red blood cells over the previous two to three months. A normal A1C level is less than 5.7%. A level of 6.5% or higher indicates that you have diabetes.
The oral glucose tolerance test measures the amount of glucose in your blood after you have been given a glucose drink. If your blood glucose level is over 200 mg/dl two hours after drinking the glucose drink, you may be considered to have diabetes.
If you experience any of the symptoms of diabetes or if your test results indicate that you have diabetes, it is important to speak to your doctor right away. Your doctor can provide you with information about how to manage your diabetes and help you get the care you need.
