how do they check you for diabetes
Asked by: CuriousPatient
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.