What tests are used to diagnose diabetes?
Oral Glucose Tolerance TestBecause of the large number of people with diabetes, getting tested for it is becoming more and more commonplace. According to statistics published by the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), in 2007 there were approximately 23.6 million people, or 7.8 percent of the population that had diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. There are two main types of diabetes, categoriezed as type one and type two. Type one is insulin-dependant and is also known as diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile-onset diabetes. Type two is generally refered to as adult-onset diabetes and is non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). According to NDIC, 90 to 95 perent of all diagnosed diabetes cases are this type. There are multiple tests for diabetes, and this article will briefly explain some of them.
A diagnosis of diabetes can be confirmed by a series of tests that might include: A blood test that measures the glucose in your blood. A blood glucose level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or greater, with symptoms, means that you have diabetes. A blood test for glucose after you have fasted, called fasting plasma glucose (FPG) value. An FPG value of 126 mg/dL or greater means that you have diabetes. A measurement of glucose in your blood through an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Although this test is no longer recommended because it is cumbersome, some health care providers may still use it. After fasting, you have to drink a glucose syrup and have a blood sample taken 2 hours later. An OGTT value of 200 mg/dL or greater means that you have diabetes.
