Diagnosing Diabetes

December 4, 2008 by diabetes · Leave a Comment
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What is pre-diabetes?

In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. In any case, numerous people with pre-diabetes tend to get type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-diabetes also raises risk of heart disease and stroke. With moderate loss of weight and physical activity, people with pre-diabetes can slow down or prevent type 2 diabetes.

How are diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed?

These tests are used for diagnosis:

* A fasting plasma glucose test checks your blood sugar after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.

* An oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood sugar after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2 hours after you drink a sugar-containing beverage. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.

* In a random plasma sugar test, your physician checks your blood sugar irrespective to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes but not pre-diabetes.

Positive test results should be validated by repeating the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral sugar tolerance test on a different day.
Fasting Plasma sugar (FPG) Test

The FPG is the preferred test for diagnosing diabetes due to convenience and is most reliable when done in the morning. Results and their meaning are shown in table 1. If your fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting sugar (IFG), meaning that you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A level of 126 mg/dL or above, verified by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
Table 1. Fasting Plasma sugar Test
Plasma sugar Result (mg/dL) Diagnosis
99 and below Normal
100 to 125 Pre-diabetes
(impaired fasting glucose)
126 and above Diabetes*

*Verified by repeating the test on a different day.
Oral sugar Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Research has shown that the OGTT is more accurate than the FPG test for diagnosing pre-diabetes, but it is less convenient to administer. The OGTT requires you to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Your plasma glucose is measured immediately before and 2 hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Results and what they mean are shown in table 2. If your blood sugar level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL 2 hours after drinking the liquid, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired sugar tolerance or IGT, meaning that you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A 2-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, corroborated by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
Table 2. Oral sugar Tolerance Test
2-Hour Plasma glucose Result (mg/dL) Diagnosis
139 and below Normal
140 to 199 Pre-diabetes
(impaired glucose tolerance)
200 and above Diabetes*

*Corroborated by repeating the test on a different day.

Gestational diabetes is also diagnosed based on plasma sugar values measured during the OGTT. Blood glucose levels are checked four times during the test. If your blood sugar levels are raisedat least twice during the test, you have gestational diabetes.

A random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or more, plus presence of these symptoms, can mean that you have diabetes:

* increased urination
* increased thirst
* unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger, and sores that do not heal. Your doctor will check your blood glucose level on another day using the FPG or the OGTT to confirm the diagnosis.

When should I be tested for diabetes?

Anyone 45 years old or older should think about getting tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and your BMI indicates that you are obese (see table 4), it is strongly recommended that you get tested. If you are younger than 45, are obese, and have one or more of the risk factors, you should think about testing. Ask your general practitioner for a FPG or an OGTT. Your attending physician will tell you if you have normal blood glucose, pre-diabetes, or diabetes. If your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range (called pre-diabetes), have your blood sugar checked in 1 to 2 years.

What steps can slow down or prevent type 2 diabetes?

A major research study, the Diabetes Prevention Program, confirmed that people who followed a low-fat, low-calorie diet, lost a modest amount of weight, and engaged in regular exercise (walking briskly for 30 minutes, five times a week, for example) sharply reduced their chances of developing diabetes. These strategies worked well for both men and women and were especially effective for participants aged 60 and older.

-
What is pre-diabetes?

In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be defined as diabetes. Nonetheless, diverse people with pre-diabetes tend to get type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-diabetes also increases risk of heart disease and stroke. With moderate loss of weight and exercise, people with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

How are diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed?

The following tests are used for diagnosis:

* A fasting plasma glucose test checks your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.

* An oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood sugar after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2 hours after you drink a sugar-containing beverage. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.

* In a random plasma glucose test, your gp checks your blood sugar irrespective to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes but not pre-diabetes.

Positive test results should be verified by repeating the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral sugar tolerance test on a different day.
Fasting Plasma glucose (FPG) Test

The FPG is the preferred test for diagnosing diabetes due to convenience and is most reliable when done in the morning. Results and their meaning are shown in table 1. If your fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting sugar (IFG), meaning that you are more likely to acquire type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A level of 126 mg/dL or above, verified by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
Table 1. Fasting Plasma sugar Test
Plasma sugar Result (mg/dL) Diagnosis
99 and below Normal
100 to 125 Pre-diabetes
(impaired fasting sugar)
126 and above Diabetes*

*Validated by repeating the test on a different day.
Oral sugar Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Research has shown that the OGTT is more accurate than the FPG test for diagnosing pre-diabetes, but it is less convenient to administer. The OGTT requires you to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Your plasma glucose is measured immediately before and 2 hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Results and what they mean are shown in table 2. If your blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL 2 hours after drinking the liquid, you have atype of pre-diabetes called impaired sugar tolerance or IGT, meaning that you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A 2-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, corroborated by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
Table 2. Oral sugar Tolerance Test
2-Hour Plasma glucose Result (mg/dL) Diagnosis
139 and below Normal
140 to 199 Pre-diabetes
(impaired glucose tolerance)
200 and above Diabetes*

*Corroborated by repeating the test on a different day.

Gestational diabetes is also diagnosed based on plasma sugar values measured during the OGTT. Blood sugar levels are checked four times during the test. If your blood sugar levels are above normalat least twice during the test, you have gestational diabetes.

A random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or more, plus presence of the following symptoms, can mean that you have diabetes:

* increased urination
* increased thirst
* unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger, and sores that do not heal. Your caregiver will check your blood sugar level on another day using the FPG or the OGTT to confirm the diagnosis.

When should I be tested for diabetes?

Anyone 45 years old or older should consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and your BMI indicates that you are obese (see table 4), it is strongly recommended that you get tested. If you are younger than 45, are overweight, and have one or more of the risk factors, you should think about testing. Ask your caregiver for a FPG or an OGTT. Your general practitioner will tell you if you have normal blood glucose, pre-diabetes, or diabetes. If your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range (called pre-diabetes), have your blood sugar checked in 1 to 2 years.

What steps can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes?

A major research study, the Diabetes Prevention Program, verified that people who followed a low-fat, low-calorie diet, lost a modest amount of weight, and engaged in regular physical activity (walking briskly for 30 minutes, five times a week, for example) sharply reduced their chances of developing diabetes. These strategies worked well for both men and women and were especially effective for participants aged 60 and older.

-
What is pre-diabetes?

In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are above normal levels but not high enough to be called diabetes. Nevertheless, numerous people with pre-diabetes tend to acquire type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-diabetes also increases risk of heart disease and stroke. With moderate loss of weight and physical activity, people with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

How are diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed?

The following tests are used for diagnosis:

* A fasting plasma glucose test checks your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.

* An oral glucose tolerance test checks your blood sugar after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2 hours after you drink a sugar-containing beverage. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.

* In a random plasma sugar test, your caregiver measures your blood glucose irrespective to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes but not pre-diabetes.

Positive test results should be corroborated by repeating the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral sugar tolerance test on a different day.
Fasting Plasma sugar (FPG) Test

The FPG is the preferred test for diagnosing diabetes due to convenience and is most reliable when done in the morning. Results and their meaning are shown in table 1. If your fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting sugar (IFG), meaning that you have a higher risk to acquire type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A level of 126 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
Table 1. Fasting Plasma glucose Test
Plasma glucose Result (mg/dL) Diagnosis
99 and below Normal
100 to 125 Pre-diabetes
(impaired fasting sugar)
126 and above Diabetes*

*Confirmed by repeating the test on a different day.
Oral glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Research has shown that the OGTT is more accurate than the FPG test for diagnosing pre-diabetes, but it is less convenient to carry out. The OGTT requires you to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Your plasma sugar is measured immediately before and 2 hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Results and what they mean are shown in table 2. If your blood sugar level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL 2 hours after drinking the liquid, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired sugar tolerance or IGT, meaning that you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A 2-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, validated by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
Table 2. Oral sugar Tolerance Test
2-Hour Plasma sugar Result (mg/dL) Diagnosis
139 and below Normal
140 to 199 Pre-diabetes
(impaired glucose tolerance)
200 and above Diabetes*

*Confirmed by repeating the test on a different day.

Gestational diabetes is also diagnosed based on plasma glucose values measured during the OGTT. Blood glucose levels are checked four times during the test. If your blood sugar levels are increasedat least twice during the test, you have gestational diabetes.

A random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or more, plus presence of these symptoms, can mean that you have diabetes:

* increased urination
* increased thirst
* unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger, and sores that do not heal. Your physician will check your blood glucose level on another day using the FPG or the OGTT to confirm the diagnosis.

When should I be tested for diabetes?

Anyone 45 years old or older should think about getting tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and your BMI indicates that you are overweight (see table 4), it is strongly recommended that you get tested. If you are younger than 45, are obese, and have one or more of the risk factors, you should think about testing. Ask your caregiver for a FPG or an OGTT. Your caregiver will tell you if you have normal blood sugar, pre-diabetes, or diabetes. If your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range (called pre-diabetes), have your blood sugar checked in 1 to 2 years.

What steps can slow down or prevent type 2 diabetes?

A major research study, the Diabetes Prevention Program, verified that people who followed a low-fat, low-calorie diet, lost a modest amount of weight, and engaged in regular exercise (walking briskly for 30 minutes, five times a week, for example) sharply reduced their chances of developing diabetes. These strategies worked well for both men and women and were especially effective for participants aged 60 and older.

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