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Diagnosing Diabetes

Posted in: Diabetes facts

I can tell by your email that you are a little concerned about your upcoming blood test. Don’t worry at ll; diagnosing diabetes is a simple process and as the doctor told you, it can be done just with a blood test. Just make sure you have nothing to eat for 12 hours before your test appointment.  

I am listing here for you the parameters your doctor, based on the lab test, will use to diagnose if you have pre-diabetes, diabetes, or if you are just fine, so you can be a little familiar with the numbers and how to interpreter them when you get your results.  

There are 3 ways to diagnose diabetes nowadays. Each one has to be confirmed with a second test the following day.  

1. Fasting plasma glucose test

This is the most common way to diagnose diabetes. It is a blood test done early in the morning, after a night fast of at least 8 hours. These are the possible results:  

• Less than 100 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) = normal fasting glucose
• More than 100 but less than 126 mg/dl = pre-diabetes
• More than 126 mg/dl = provisional diagnosis of diabetes. In this case, the diagnosis must be confirmed with a second test

2. Oral glucose tolerance test

This test is done 2 hours after taking 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Possible results are:  

• Less than 140 mg/dl = normal glucose tolerance
• More than 140 but less than 199 mg/dl = pre-diabetes
• More than 200 mg/dl = provisional diagnosis of diabetes. The result has to be confirmed with a second test.

3. Casual plasma glucose test for diabetes

This blood test can be done any time of the day without regard to time since last meal. You are not required to abstain from eating prior to the test.  

• More than 200 mg/dl plus symptoms of diabetes such as excessive thirst and urination, blurred vision, weight loss, fatigue, and frequent infections that do not heal.

As you can see, diagnosing diabetes is a fairly simple procedure. Send me a note as soon as you get the results. Looking forward to hearing from you,  

Emilia Klapp, RD, BS
Your Diabetes Coach
www.theDiabetesClub.com
www.MediterraneanDietForTheHeart.com   

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