All too often we hear people saying that they are probably diabetic because of something or other they are feeling. Maybe they didn't eat for a few hours and are feeling a bit faint, maybe they feel the need to go to the bathroom more often than normal. None of these things alone mean you are diabetic.
You need to get a consultation from a Dr, the doctor will usually ask questions on your family history of diabetes, presence of other related medical conditions, risk factors for diabetes and will also check for symptoms.
Fasting blood sugar (FBS) is the most commonly used test. The subject is required to abstain from eating anything for at least 8 hours prior to the blood extraction. This is usually done early in the morning. A result greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL is usually indicative of diabetes. A confirmatory test is usually done. Results ranging from 101 - 125 mg/dL is indicative of impaired fasting glucose (IFG). People with IFG are not yet diabetic but are at high risk of developing diabetes (pre-diabetic).
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) involves extracting blood for FBS, making the subject drink 75 grams of sugar dissolved in a glass of water. Blood is extracted exactly two hours after the drink. A person is considered diabetic if the result is over 200 mg/dL. If the result is between 140 and 199, the patient has impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). This is also a pre-diabetic condition. OGTT is the method of choice in confirming diabetes.
Glycosylated hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1c measures the average blood sugar for the past 120 days. It is more useful as a means of monitoring blood sugar than as a confirmatory test. Random blood sugar test can also be done on subjects who did not fast. This test assumes that the subject has had a meal and therefore has higher reference values than fasting blood sugar (FBS).
After reading this I am sure you will agree that trying to self diagnose diabetes is not a great idea. If you are genuinely worried that you may have it then make an appointment with your Dr right away.
You need to get a consultation from a Dr, the doctor will usually ask questions on your family history of diabetes, presence of other related medical conditions, risk factors for diabetes and will also check for symptoms.
Fasting blood sugar (FBS) is the most commonly used test. The subject is required to abstain from eating anything for at least 8 hours prior to the blood extraction. This is usually done early in the morning. A result greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL is usually indicative of diabetes. A confirmatory test is usually done. Results ranging from 101 - 125 mg/dL is indicative of impaired fasting glucose (IFG). People with IFG are not yet diabetic but are at high risk of developing diabetes (pre-diabetic).
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) involves extracting blood for FBS, making the subject drink 75 grams of sugar dissolved in a glass of water. Blood is extracted exactly two hours after the drink. A person is considered diabetic if the result is over 200 mg/dL. If the result is between 140 and 199, the patient has impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). This is also a pre-diabetic condition. OGTT is the method of choice in confirming diabetes.
Glycosylated hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1c measures the average blood sugar for the past 120 days. It is more useful as a means of monitoring blood sugar than as a confirmatory test. Random blood sugar test can also be done on subjects who did not fast. This test assumes that the subject has had a meal and therefore has higher reference values than fasting blood sugar (FBS).
After reading this I am sure you will agree that trying to self diagnose diabetes is not a great idea. If you are genuinely worried that you may have it then make an appointment with your Dr right away.
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