Diabetes is a chronic health condition that can give birth to severe complications and health issues. One of the most dreadful things about diabetes is that it is pretty challenging to detect diabetes at an early stage because its symptoms are relatively mild and unnoticeable and show up at a slow pace. 

Hence, it is imperative that you undergo a test for diabetes in a timely fashion for its early detection, as it can save you from the complications that diabetes brings along with it. Here in this guide, we are going to discuss in detail how you can get tested for diabetes by undertaking different sugar tests:

Which tests can help in diagnosing diabetes?

There are a variety of tests that are conducted to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe a sugar test based on your health condition and symptoms to check your blood sugar levels. Here are a few tests for diabetes that are conducted for the evaluation of diabetic cases: 

Random Plasma Glucose Test

Random plasma glucose test is prescribed by doctors when they find symptoms of diabetes in their patients. This blood test can be taken at any point in time and does not require the patient to fast for eight hours before taking the test. 

If the result of the random glucose test comes out to be greater than 200mg per decilitre, it is a clear sign of diabetes.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

A fasting blood sugar test is conducted after fasting overnight. Usually, a time gap of eight to twelve hours should be maintained between the last meal and the sugar test.

Here is the resultant analysis of the fasting blood sugar test:

• Normal range: 99 mg/dl or lower than 99 mg
• Prediabetes condition: 100 to 125 mg/dl
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dl or more

Oral Glucose Intolerance Test

This test is used for detecting type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Before taking this test, the patient is asked to fast for eight hours. Further, the blood sample is taken by the health care professional to measure the level of glucose in your blood after fasting. After the sample collection, the patient is asked to drink fluids with high sugar content, and again, a blood sample is taken after two hours to measure the blood sugar level. If the glucose level comes to be on the higher side, then you probably have diabetes.

The test result and the indicated condition is generalized as follows:

• Normal range: 139 mg/dl or lower
• Prediabetes: 140 to 199mg/dl
• Diabetes: 200mg/dl or greater than 200mg

In the case of a pregnant woman, the blood sample is taken consecutively every hour for two to three hours. If the blood glucose level results appear on the higher side two or more than two times, there are chances that you have gestational diabetes.

Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test

This blood sugar test can also be taken at any part of the day and does not require the person to fast before taking the test. It measures the amount of haemoglobin that bonds to your red blood cells, causing a spike in your blood sugar level.

This sugar test provides the average sugar level in your blood, taking into account the data of the glucose attached to haemoglobin over the past three to four months. This test gives results in percentage and can be analysed as mentioned below:

• Normal range: 5.6% or lower
• Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or greater

Initial Glucose Challenge Test

While performing this screening test for diabetes, the individual undertaking this test is given a glucose syrup by the doctor, and their blood sample is drawn an hour after the sugar syrup is consumed. This blood sample is further lab-tested to detect the presence of sugar in your blood.

Any count below 140 mg/dl is considered normal, whereas a reading above 140 mg/dl may indicate the need for further sugar tests.

Urine Testing for Diabetes

For people who are suspected of having Type 1 diabetes, doctors may also prescribe them urine tests. The human body produces a chemical known as ketone, which is detected in the urine test. If the ketone bodies are present in a moderate to large amount in the urine sample, it implies that your body is not producing enough insulin that has the ability to break down glucose for the provision of energy. 

Who should get tested for diabetes?

If you have a family history of diabetes or lead a lifestyle that can make you prone to fall prey to diabetes, you should get yourself tested for diabetes at your earliest. It is advised because the earlier the detection, the better will be its management and the lesser will be complications. When a prediabetes condition is detected at an early stage, your doctor can prescribe you medications, lifestyle changes, and ways to prevent blood sugar symptoms.

To book a Diabetes Test Packages, visit our website or you can even visit our nearest Pathology laboratory for more information.