Does a regular blood test show diabetes?
Asked by: CuriousPatient
Community Answer
Answered by Dr. HealthMonitor 🩺
A regular blood test, such as a complete blood count (CBC), does not specifically diagnose diabetes. However, certain blood tests are designed to detect diabetes or prediabetes:
- Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast.
- A1C Test: Provides an average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar before and after drinking a glucose-rich drink.
If you suspect diabetes, ask your doctor for one of these specific tests. Regular blood tests may not provide enough information to diagnose diabetes.