Top 4 Tests for Diabetes: Diagnosis & Monitoring Explained

Did you know India is a Diabetes Capital? 

Why?

The prevalence of Diabetes in India is 10.1 crores. Studies show that this number could rise to over 124 million by 2045.

Earlier, diabetes was seen in adults, but now increasingly affecting children and adolescents in India. Recent studies have shown a significant rise in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes among the younger population. Unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and increasing rates of childhood obesity are some common factors responsible for this condition. What’s the solution? 

Awareness, proper testing, and lifestyle changes can help control the condition. In this article, we will learn about four important blood tests for Diabetes, the importance of diabetes testing, prevention, and more.

What is Diabetes and its Types?

Diabetes takes time to develop symptoms, but early screenings of prediabetes and diabetes are important. 

The doctor may diagnose diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes using blood tests. The blood test for diabetes shows if your blood glucose level, also called blood sugar, is higher than the healthy range. It also helps to identify the type of diabetes you have. 

Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes high blood sugar levels because the body cannot produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps to convert glucose into energy used by cells to function properly. When this process is disrupted, glucose begins to accumulate in the blood, leading to various health complications.

The condition may cause increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, sudden weight gain or fatigue, irritability, weight loss, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and frequent infections.

There are several types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes—Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This condition leads to very little or no insulin production. It is diagnosed in children and young adults.
• Type 2 Diabetes is one of the most common forms of diabetes. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin and does not produce enough insulin. It is often associated with older age, obesity, family history, and physical inactivity. 
• Gestational Diabetes- This type of diabetes is common during pregnancy and generally goes on its own after childbirth. However, it is important to get a diabetes test regularly after a baby's birth as there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in the future. 

Importance of Diabetes Testing

The diabetes test helps to detect and manage the condition. Knowing your high blood glucose levels allows timely intervention to reduce the risk of severe complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, and vision problems. 

The purpose of the diabetes testing is:

1. Diagnosis- Helps to detect high blood glucose levels to confirm diabetes or prediabetes.
2. Monitoring- Regular diabetes blood test allows diabetic patients to track their blood sugar levels and ensure they remain within the normal range. 
3. Prevention- If people are aware of their diabetes risk, they can make lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
4. Management—For those diagnosed with diabetes, ongoing testing helps treat strategies, such as medication, diet, and exercise, to control blood glucose levels.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Excessive hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections

These symptoms might go unnoticed, but testing can help you to know your risk of diabetes.

4 Important Blood Tests for Diabetes

Here are the 4 most important blood tests used to diagnose and monitor diabetes:

• Fasting Blood Sugar Test 

The fasting blood sugar test measures glucose concentration in the blood after an overnight fast. It is commonly used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. 

This is a blood test, and the healthcare provider will draw blood from the vein of your arm to measure your glucose level.

Interpreting FBS Results:

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

If your FBS results are abnormal, consult your doctor. They might recommend additional tests, such as an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) or HbA1C Test, to confirm the diagnosis and prepare an appropriate plan to manage diabetes.

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

The test assesses blood sugar before and two hours after consuming a sugary drink to evaluate how the body processes glucose. It helps diagnose conditions like diabetes and insulin resistance. 

The test requires 8-12 hours of fasting. You can drink water only. However, if you take any medications, consult your doctor once, as some medications can affect the test results.

Interpreting OGTT Results after 2-hour blood glucose level 

• Normal- less than 140 mg/dL
• Prediabetes- between 140 and 199 mg/dL.
• Diabetes- 200 mg/dL or higher. 

Always consult your medical provider to understand your test results and determine the appropriate next steps.

• Random Plasma Glucose Test

The test measures blood sugar at any time, regardless of when you last ate. This test is useful for assessing blood sugar levels in emergencies or when immediate testing is required. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/d/L or higher suggests diabetes. The test does not require fasting, which makes it easy to assess immediately.

• HbA1C Test

The HbA1C test is a blood test that helps to measure the average blood sugar for the past two or three months. The test assesses the percentage of hemoglobin coated with sugar. Higher percentages reflect higher average blood sugar levels. The HbA1C results are as follows:

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

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, then consult your doctor to manage the disease. The prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. 

If you've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you can manage it with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Consult with your medical professional about the treatment options to manage the condition. In most cases, gestational diabetes goes on its own after childbirth. If you have any questions about your diabetes diagnosis or treatment, talk to your doctor.

Blood Sugar Level Normal Range

The normal range of blood glucose levels is as follows-

Test	Normal Range (mg/dL)
Fasting Blood Glucose	70–100
2 Hours Post-Meal	Less than 140
Hemoglobin A1C	Less than 5.7%

Who is at high risk of Diabetes?

There are some risk factors of diabetes, including-

1. The people who are overweight or obese 
2. People with a sedentary lifestyle
3. People aged above 35 years
4. Have high blood pressure or heart disease
5. Gestational diabetes
6. Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
7. Are natives of African American, Hispanic, American Indian
8. Abnormal Cholesterol Levels

Some risk factors, such as age and genetics, cannot be adjusted, but lifestyle modifications like maintaining a healthy weight, regular workouts, and following a balanced diet can reduce one's risk of developing diabetes.

Tips to Prevent Diabetes

To prevent yourself from diabetes, follow these tips-

• Maintaining a Healthy Weight- Try to attain and sustain a healthy weight with a balanced diet and physical activity.
• Regular Physical Activity- Work out at least 30-45 minutes daily.
• Healthy Eating- Focusing on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, limit processed foods and sugary beverages.
• Regular Monitoring- Keep a track on your blood sugar levels with regular health checkups with Redcliffe Labs.

Get Tested Regularly to Protect yourself from Diabetes.

Several tests can confirm a diabetes diagnosis, including the fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, random plasma glucose test, and hemoglobin A1c test. These diabetes tests will help your doctor determine whether you're diabetic or at high risk of developing diabetes.

Get yourself tested regularly once every 6 months to decrease your risk of developing diabetes and manage the condition effectively. You can take diabetes tests with Redcliffe Labs. Here, you will get the best diagnostic services at affordable prices with a comfort-of-home sample collection. You will be assured of getting on-time reports with free consultations and diet plans. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Diabetes test today!