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How is diabetes diagnosed?
There are several ways to diagnose diabetes and a repeat test is needed on the second day to confirm the diagnosis. The diabetes testing could carry out in a health care setting or measuring by a simple blood test.
Types of Diagnostic tests
- Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
A blood glucose test followed by a minimum of 8-hour overnight fasting for diabetes diagnosis.
- Random Blood Glucose (RBG)
A blood glucose test that performs at any time of the day to make the diagnosis of diabetes.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
A 2-hour plasma blood glucose test that performs under fasting state by using 75g of glucose to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. The patient is required to rest throughout the test and is only allowed to drink plain water.
- Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) test
A blood glucose test that does not require fasting by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
How often should you check your blood sugar?
The frequency of checking your blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes you have and if you take any diabetes medicines. Speak to your healthcare specialist to know better the blood sugar target range that is working best for you.
Typical times to check your blood sugar:
- When you first wake up, before you eat or drink anything.
- Before a meal.
- Two hours after a meal.
- At bedtime.
References:
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Manage Blood Sugar, reviewed: April 28, 2021. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/manage-blood-sugar.html
[2] Beyond Sugar. How is diabetes diagnosed, reviewed: 2021. Source: https://www.beyondsugar.my/en/home/how-is-diabetes-diagnosed1.html
[3] American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis, reviewed: 2021. Source: https://www.diabetes.org/a1c/diagnosis |
