Diabetes is a disorder in which your blood sugar levels increase beyond normal levels. Diabetes causes adverse effects, such as heart disease, kidney / liver disease, nerve damage, and problems with feet, oral health, vision, and hearing. Symptoms of diabetes often appear suddenly. Get a diabetes test if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Frequent urination
- Feeling tired all the time
- Blurry vision
- Having sores or cuts that are not (or slow) healing easily
- Numbness or tingling of hands and feet
Who Should Get A Diabetes Test?
Get a diabetes test if you:
- are prediabetic
- are above 45 years
- are obese
- have a family member who has diabetes
- are physically active <3 times in a week
- are a mother who has had diabetes during pregnancy or given birth to a baby over 9 pounds.
4 Common Blood Tests for Diabetes
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HbA1c Test
An HbA1c test determines sugar levels in the body. It checks for average sugar levels for the past 2 – 3 months. The test is recommended for diagnosing and monitoring blood sugar mainly in type 2 diabetes. Unlike other blood tests, this test does not require fasting and is a good marker for long-time sugar control. An A1c level below 5.7% is normal, 5.7%–6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or more indicates diabetes.
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Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
This is a simple and common way to diagnose prediabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes. The abnormal test results mean that the patient has an alteration in blood sugar levels. This test requires at least 8 to 12 hours of fasting. A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal, 100–125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or more indicates diabetes.
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Postprandial Plasma Glucose Test
Testing blood glucose levels after 2 hours of having a meal is called postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) test. It checks how your body utilizes glucose after a meal. Normally, PPBS level less than 140 mg/dL is normal and that less than 180 mg/dL indicates diabetes.
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Random Plasma Glucose Test
Random Plasma Glucose Test allows for determining the level of blood glucose in the body at any time, no matter when one ate last. If your random plasma glucose levels are 200 mg/dL or above, it suggests diabetes.
Diabetes does not have a cure, but the good news is it’s absolutely manageable (or preventable if you don’t have it) with healthy lifestyle choices and regular health checkups. Keep your glucose in check to be in charge of life.
