what is the test for diabetes

The primary test for diagnosing diabetes is the A1C test, also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test. This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Here’s how it works:

• What it measures: The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin. Higher blood sugar levels result in more sugar-coated hemoglobin.
• Diagnostic ranges:
  • Normal: Below 5.7%
  • Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
  • Diabetes: 6.5% or above

Other tests used to diagnose diabetes include:

• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar before and after drinking a glucose-rich drink.
• Random Blood Sugar Test: Measures blood sugar at any time, regardless of when you last ate.

These tests help determine if you have diabetes or prediabetes and guide treatment plans.