Diabetes is a disease that is caused due to lack of insulin (a hormone responsible for converting blood sugar into energy) in the body. But how you can test for diabetes? See whether you are a victim of diabetes or not? Then only it is possible for you to take the necessary steps for controlling diabetes. Here are the top four tests for diabetes that will help you in the diagnosis of the disease.
1. FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE (FPG) TEST
It is one of the most popular tests for detecting diabetes. However, it has a disadvantage that it is not suitable for the gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy). The doctor will only use this test if you are not pregnant.
Initially, you will be scheduled for a FPG test. Your doctor will ask you to eat nothing eight hours before the test. In FPG test, your doctor will measure your blood sugar level using your blood sample. This blood sample will then be analyzed based on the following rules:
- A blood sugar level of 99 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or less = Normal.
- A blood sugar level of between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).
- A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or greater = Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. In this instance you will be given another FPG for accuracy. If both FPGs suggest that you have diabetes your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
2. ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
This test is the same as that of FPG but it overcomes the drawback of FPG and is used to detect all kinds of diabetes. It is performed after the FPG test. If you are a man or a non-pregnant woman, then after the FPG test is being completed, the doctor will give you a glucose drink and take your blood samples after you finished your drink. If you are pregnant you will be given the glucose drink without an FPG test and regular blood samples will be taken following consumption. In both the conditions, the blood samples that are finally obtained will be used for the diagnosis of diabetes using the following rules:
- A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or less = Normal.
- A blood sugar level of between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).
- A blood sugar reading of 200 mg/dL or greater = Type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. If you are a pregnant woman then you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Otherwise your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
3. RANDOM BLOOD GLUCOSE (RBG) TEST
This test involves a random blood test being taken. This test can be performed without the help of your doctor using a device called glucose meter which is used to calculate the approximate glucose level in your blood. In this test, your finger is pricked with a lancing device that will give a small amount of blood. Take this blood on a strip and put this strip in the glucose meter to get a reading. Repeat for more than two times. If multiple RBG tests show that you have blood sugar levels higher than 200 mg/dL then you may have diabetes.
Although RBG tests are easy to perform you should not do them yourself. They are approximately 10% as accurate as laboratory tests and therefore any concerns you may have as the result of multiple RBG tests should be followed up with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to give you the proper suggestion as per the requirement.
4. GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN TEST
Haemoglobin bounded with glucose is referred to as Glycosylated Haemoglobin. Glycosylated haemoglobin cells usually last for between two to four months. If you are suffering from diabetes or are unable to manage your diabetes effectively the level of glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood will increase. In the beginning of this test, your doctor will take a blood sample and analyze the glycosylated haemoglobin levels based on the following results:
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels of between 4% and 6% = Normal.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels below 7% = Diabetes that is under control.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels greater than 7% = Diabetes that is not under control.
All the four techniques mentioned above will help you to detect whether you have diabetes or not. These tests should be performed under the supervision of the doctor. As the doctors have detailed knowledge about all the effects and results, they will be able to tell you more about your condition and also the appropriate remedy to control the disease.
