Understanding Prediabetes and Diabetes: Tests and Diagnosis
Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels rise due to the body’s inability to produce or use insulin. But with early diagnosis and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to manage the condition and live a normal life.
Prediabetes vs Diabetes
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. If left unchecked, prediabetes can progress to diabetes.
Who Should Get Tested?
You should get tested for prediabetes or diabetes if you:
– Have a family history of diabetes
– Had diabetes during pregnancy
– Were born to a mother with gestational diabetes
– Have low birth weight
– Are overweight
Preparing for the Tests
Before undergoing tests, you’ll need to:
– Fast for at least 8 hours
– Avoid eating or drinking anything except water
Types of Tests
There are several tests used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes:
1. Random Blood Glucose Level: A blood sample is taken at any time to measure blood sugar levels.
2. Fasting Blood Glucose Levels: A blood sample is taken after an overnight fast to measure blood sugar levels.
3. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: A blood sample is taken 2 hours after consuming a glucose drink to measure how the body processes glucose.
4. HbA1c Test: A blood sample is taken to measure the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.
5. Urine Test for Blood Sugar: A urine sample is taken to check for glucose in the urine.
Understanding Test Results
Here’s what your test results might mean:
– Normal: Blood sugar levels are within a healthy range.
– Prediabetes: Blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
– Diabetes: Blood sugar levels are high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Next Steps
If you’re diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, there are lifestyle changes you can make to manage the condition:
– Eat healthy foods
– Be more active
– Shed excess weight
– Regularly check your blood sugar levels
– Take your medications as prescribed
– Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption
References
https://familydoctor.org/condition/prediabetes/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355284
https://www.diabetes.org/a1c/diagnosis
https://bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12902-019-0339-6
https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/a1c-fpgt-ogtt-tests#managing-prediabetes
https://patient.info/diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-leaflet/tests-for-blood-sugar-glucose-and-hba1c