5 Recommended Diagnostic Tests for Diabetes mellitus

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Diabetes has become one of the most common diseases which most of the adults are either already suffering or have a high chance of being diagnosed with. The sedentary lifestyle habits along with a change in the standard of living have led to the rise of the “Sugar Disease”. Since Diabetes is becoming more prevalent, the awareness as well as methods of diagnosis has increased too.

If you feel any kind of sign or symptom of Diabetes mellitus then you must consult a renowned Diabetologist. He or she will surely prescribe the recommended diagnostic tests for Diabetes mellitus as these Diabetes tests help you to see if you are suffering from the disease.

Important Laboratory Tests for Patients with Diabetes mellitus

There are some regular blood tests which can be conducted for the diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus but one can also do a Diabetes test at home. You can use a Diabetes checking machine to check your blood sugar level and know what the results are, almost instantly. If you want to know your insulin levels, you can simply carry out an insulin test for Diabetes.

Let’s see the 5 most important laboratory tests for Diabetes mellitus which people can take in order to know whether they are suffering from this chronic disease.

Common Diagnostic Tests for Diabetes mellitus, Type 2, Type 1, Gestational

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test

The most common Diabetes test name that crops up is the Fasting Plasma Glucose test. This medical test is extremely easy to perform and thus, is highly preferred by all. The patients with Diabetes can also conduct this test at home by using a Diabetes machine. It is also known as Fasting Blood Sugar test.

  1. Preparation (Fasting): One needs to fast overnight in order to take this test in the morning.
  2. Blood Sample: The blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm and it must be done by a healthcare professional.
  3. Analysis: After this, the lab technician determines the glucose level or concentration in the blood by analysing your blood sample in a laboratory.

However, it is also said to be the best diagnostic test for Type 2 Diabetes. It is a simple test to diagnose the Prediabetes and Diabetes in a person so that he or she can control the glucose level effectively.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

This is a diabetic test which is majorly performed on women during pregnancy. It is accurate in letting us know if a pregnant woman is suffering from Gestational Diabetes. Thus, it is the best diagnostic test for Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy.

  • In this test, the patient needs to fast (no food or drink) for a period of 08 to 12 hours prior to the test.
  • The blood sample is normally taken for test once to know the average blood sugar level and later, you will be given a ‘Syrupy Glucose Solution’.
  • After this, your blood sample is taken every 30 to 60 minutes for the next 3 hours to see how your blood is handling the surge in sugar.
  • The results for this Diabetes blood test can vary depending upon the grams of glucose in the solution.

Postprandial Blood Sugar Test (PPBS)

The blood sugar level is also reflected accurately after a meal and the Postprandial Blood Sugar test does that. You need to have a normal meal and then wait for two hours to get this test done. Therefore, this test is also known as Two Hour Postprandial test.

  • If your blood sugar level is 70-145 mg/dl or less than 7.9 mmol/L then this is the normal range, and you can be worry free.
  • If the test indicates otherwise, you need to immediately go to a doctor for getting a Diabetes check-up.

Random Blood Sugar (RBS) Test

The Random Blood Sugar test just like its name says is done randomly to measure the blood sugar level irrespective of the time as well as the meals had prior to the test. The normal range for the random blood sugar test spans from 70-125 mg/dl or less than 7.0 mmol/L. If it is anything higher than that, you are diagnosed with Diabetes.

Glycated Haemoglobin Test (HbA1c Test)

This is the most common test for Type 2 Diabetes. This is the only Diabetes test which measures the amount of sugar which is stuck in your red blood cells. These cells have a span of just 3 months but it can indicate your level of blood sugar in the recent months.

It is a test which can also be conducted for diabetics to see how their recent blood sugar level is performing. If the results for this test are higher, you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Thus, you need to make certain lifestyle changes to bring it back to normal. This test cannot be performed through a Diabetes machine.