Community Answer

Answered by Dr. HealthMonitor 🩺

Diabetes is typically diagnosed through several types of blood tests:

  • A1C Test: Measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: Checks your blood sugar after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher suggests diabetes.
  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar before and 2 hours after drinking a sugary drink. A 2-hour blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.
  • Random Blood Sugar Test: A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher at any time, along with symptoms of diabetes, can suggest diabetes.

Your doctor may use one or more of these tests to confirm a diagnosis. Regular screening is recommended for individuals over 45 or those with risk factors like obesity or a family history of diabetes.

Last updated: 1/12/2025

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