how do they diagnose diabetes
Asked by: 🩺 SugarWatcher
Community Answer
Answered by Dr. Emily Carter, MD
Diabetes is typically diagnosed through several blood tests that measure blood glucose levels. The most common tests include:
- A1C Test: Measures your average blood sugar level 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: Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates 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 Plasma Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar at any time, regardless of when you last ate. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher suggests diabetes.
Your healthcare provider may use one or more of these tests to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.