Blood Tests for Diabetes

What is a diabetes test?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body converts blood sugar (glucose) into energy. Glucose is a primary energy source, and insulin is the hormone facilitating glucose entry into the body's cells.

In diabetes:

• The body doesn't produce enough insulin or
• The body can't use insulin properly.

This causes high blood sugar levels, which may also damage organs and lead to serious health issues if not controlled.

A blood test for diabetes detects the glucose level (sugar) in a person's blood. It helps determine whether they have diabetes, a condition in which the body can't properly use or produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels.

What is the importance of Diabetes Testing?

Diabetes testing helps in 

1. Early detection identifies diabetes or prediabetes conditions, facilitating timely treatment and lifestyle changes.
2. Prevention of Complications: High blood sugar over time can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Testing helps prevent or delay the development of serious health problems.
3. Monitoring and Management: This helps people with diabetes monitor the effectiveness of their treatment. 

Purpose of Diabetes test

Here is the key purpose of diabetes is-

1. Diagnose Diabetes: This test detects whether a person has Type 1, 2, or gestational diabetes.
2. Identify Prediabetes: Catch high blood sugar levels early before they become diabetes.
3. Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: Check how well blood sugar is being controlled in patients with diabetes.
4. Evaluate Treatment Effectiveness: Determine if lifestyle changes or medications are working.
5. Prevent Complications: Help avoid serious health issues like heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
6. Screen at-risk Individuals: Test people with risk factors (e.g., obesity, family history, high blood pressure).
7. Ensure Safe Pregnancy: Monitor blood sugar in pregnant women to manage gestational diabetes.

Types of Diabetes Tests

Here are some common blood tests for diabetes patients- 

Glucose Fasting Test

This blood test for diabetes measures blood glucose levels after you haven't eaten for at least 8-10 hours. It is done in the morning. The healthcare provider will take a blood sample to check the amount of glucose in your blood, excluding the influence of recent food intake. It helps diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.

• Normal: Below 100 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher

This test is simple, commonly used, and often the first step in checking for diabetes.

HBA1C Test

The HbA1c test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months by measuring how much glucose is attached to your hemoglobin. It doesn’t require fasting and is useful for both diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of diabetes.

• Normal: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

This blood test for diabetes type 2 diabetes-term glucose levels helps assess the effectiveness of treatment.

Glucose Random Test 

This blood test for glucose checks blood sugar levels at any time of day, regardless of what you have eaten. The blood test for glucose is recommended for individuals who exhibit symptoms of high blood sugar, such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, or fatigue.

• A reading of 200 mg/dL or higher may indicate diabetes if the symptoms are present.

This test is quick and convenient for immediate blood sugar evaluation; however, if you have high blood glucose levels, your doctor may recommend additional blood tests to diagnose diabetes.

Glucose PP (Post Prandial) Test

This test measures blood sugar exactly 2 hours after eating a meal. It shows how your body responds to sugar intake. Here is a blood test for diabetes normal range- 

• Normal: Below 140 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 140–199 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or more

The Postprandial test helps detect diabetes and monitor how well your body processes glucose after meals, especially in individuals already diagnosed.

Glucose Challenge Test (GCT)

This test is primarily used to screen for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. During the test, a person must drink a glucose solution (usually 50-75 grams), and blood sugar levels are measured after 1 hour.

• If the blood sugar level is above a certain threshold (commonly 130–140 mg/dL), a follow-up Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is performed.

The GCT is recommended for pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.

When would you need a blood test for diabetes?

You may need a diabetes blood test in the following situations:

1. If you have symptoms of diabetes

If you experience any of the following signs:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst or hunger
• Sudden weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing wounds

A blood test is necessary to check for high blood sugar levels.

2. IF you have risk factors

Testing is recommended if you:

• Are overweight or obese
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are physically inactive
• Have high blood pressure or cholesterol
• Had gestational diabetes or delivered a baby over 9 pounds
• Are age 35 or older (routine screening starts here)

3. Routine health screening

Even without symptoms, adults should get screened:

• Every 3 years after age 35
• More often, if at higher risk
• During annual check-ups, especially if prediabetes is suspected

4. If you are pregnant

Pregnant women are tested between 24–28 weeks of pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes using the Glucose Challenge Test (GCT).

5. You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes

Blood tests help:

• Monitor blood sugar control (e.g., HbA1c every 3–6 months)
• Adjust medications or insulin
• Prevent complications through early detection of changes

Test Details

How to prepare for a Blood Diabetes test?

Preparation depends on the type of test your doctor has recommended you. Here is the preparation required for the test-

• For an FBS (fasting blood sugar test) or an OGTT, you must fast for at least 8-10 hours before the test. However, no fasting is required for random blood glucose tests.
• Avoid heavy exercise and smoking for at least 24 hours before the test.
• Inform your doctor of any medications you're taking.
• Wear comfortable clothing for an easy blood sample collection.
• Stay hydrated and relaxed before the test.

What to expect during a blood diabetes test?

The procedure for a blood glucose test depends on the type of test your doctor has recommended. Here are the procedures for the diabetes test- 

• Your healthcare provider will tie an elastic band or tourniquet around your vein. 
• He will clean the arm area with an antiseptic solution.
• Using a sterile needle, the healthcare provider will collect the blood sample. 
• After collecting the sample, the healthcare expert will apply cotton gauze or a bandage over the puncture site.
• You might feel slight pain during the sample collection, but this will eventually become normal.
• After blood is collected and sent to a lab for glucose level measurement.

Result and follow-up.

What is a normal blood glucose level in a blood test?

Here is the blood test for diabetes normal Range- 

1. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)

• Normal: 70–99 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher 

2. Random Blood Sugar (RBS)

• Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: Not usually diagnosed with RBS alone
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher with symptoms like frequent urination, extreme thirst

3. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – 1 hour after glucose drink

• Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL 
• Prediabetes: 140–199 mg/dL 
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher

4. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

• Normal: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

What does a high blood glucose level mean?

A high blood glucose level, known as hyperglycemia, means too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. This can be a temporary condition or a symptom of a problem such as diabetes.

If your blood sugar level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) when fasting, it means you have prediabetes. This means you're at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, up to a 50% chance over the next 5 to 10 years. But the good news is that you can often reverse prediabetes with healthy lifestyle changes.

If your fasting blood sugar is 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher on more than one occasion, it usually means you have diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes often have even higher levels of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or more.

Your doctor will likely order an A1c test to confirm the diagnosis in both cases. This blood test for glucose shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.

Causes of high diabetes

Here are some common causes of high diabetes-

Lifestyle Factors 

• Poor Diet
• Lack of Exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol

Medications

Some drugs can raise blood sugar, such as:

• Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
• Diuretics
• Certain psychiatric medications (e.g., antipsychotics)
• Birth control pills

Hormonal Disorders

• Cushing’s Syndrome
• Hyperthyroidism
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Long-term high blood sugar can damage:

• Eyes (retinopathy)
• Kidneys (nephropathy)
• Nerves (neuropathy)
• Heart and blood vessels (leading to heart disease, stroke)

What does a low blood glucose level mean?

Low blood sugar (called hypoglycemia) happens often in people with Type 1 diabetes and sometimes in those with Type 2 diabetes who take certain medications. It's much less common in people without diabetes. 

If you don’t have diabetes, low blood sugar might be caused by conditions like: 

• Liver or kidney disease
• An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• Addison’s disease (low adrenal hormone levels)
• Heavy alcohol use
• A rare insulin-producing tumor (insulinoma)

These health issues can lead to frequent low blood sugar episodes. However, if you have only one low reading and are otherwise healthy. 

Care at Redcliffe Labs

Diabetes tests help determine whether your blood sugar levels are within a normal range if you have prediabetes or if you may have diabetes. The type of test, such as fasting blood glucose, A1c, oral glucose tolerance test, or random glucose test, provides important information about how your body processes sugar. The test helps manage blood sugar issues early and reduces the risk of long-term health problems. Always follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss your results and next steps.

To book your test, follow the below steps- 

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website, redcliffelabs.com.
2. Search for the H. Pylori test in the search bar. 
3. Add to the card and fill in the required details. 
4. Complete the payment process online.
5. Your test is booked.

Note: You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.