Diabetes Exams and Tests

By Jason Myers

The most fundamental screening procedure to find out whether or not one has diabetes is to check if they exhibit the signs of either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The signs of Type 1 diabetes include unexplained thirst, good appetite or frequent urge to urinate, weight loss and blurred vision. The manifestations of Type 2 diabetes include unreasonable weight loss, tiredness, increased thirst, urination, vomiting and nausea.

You also have to visit a medical practitioner for the two required exams to determine your blood glucose level. A urine analysis may be used to look for glucose and ketones from the breakdown of fat. However, this test alone will not determine whether you are suffering from diabetes or not.

Your doctor will also perform one of the following blood tests for diabetes check up:

1. Fasting blood glucose level ? The physician will confirm diabetes if glucose level higher than 126 mg/dL even when the test is repeated. Levels between 100 and 126 mg/dL are called as impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes. They are considered to be risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

2. Oral glucose tolerance test ? The physician will diagnose diabetes if your glucose level yields more than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours. (This test is used more for Type 2 diabetes.)

3. Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level ? The physician will diagnose diabetes if your glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL and if you show diabetes symptoms like increased thirst, urination, and fatigue. (This exam must come with a fasting blood glucose test.)

Results of these tests are used in determining your blood glucose level which should be between 90 and 120 if you don?t have diabetes. Those whose levels fall within the range 121 and 130 are considered borderline diabetic while those with levels above 130 will be diagnosed with diabetes. Remember these informations and keep them in a safe place! - 29887

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