Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. In order to manage the condition and avoid complications, early diagnosis is essential. But how is
diabetes diagnosis? Let’s break it down in a simple, reader-friendly way.
Understanding Diabetes
Before diving into the diagnostic methods, it’s essential to understand what diabetes is.
When your body is unable to adequately control blood sugar (glucose) levels, diabetes develops, resulting in consistently elevated blood glucose levels. Diabetes comes in three primary forms:
Type 1 diabetes: is an autoimmune disease wherein the body objectives cells that make insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance and lifestyle elements are often associated with type 2 diabetes. Being pregnant causes gestational diabetes, which commonly goes away after giving birth.
The following symptoms might indicate diabetes and warrant a test:
Increased thirst and hunger
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow-healing sores
Additionally, individuals with risk factors like obesity, family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, or age above 45 are recommended to undergo routine testing.
Diagnostic Tests for Diabetes
The following are the main tests for diabetes diagnosis:
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Test
Your blood sugar levels are measured by this test following an overnight fast (at least 8 hours)
Normal: Below 100 mg/dL
Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Often used for gestational diabetes, this test involves drinking a sugary solution and checking blood sugar levels at intervals.
Normal: Below 140 mg/dL
Prediabetes: 140–199 mg/dL
Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher
A1C Test (Glycated Hemoglobin Test)
This test reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months.
Normal: Below 5.7%
Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
Random Blood Sugar Test
Blood sugar levels can be measured with this easy test at any time, regardless of when you last had food. A reading of 200 mg/dL or higher, along with symptoms of diabetes, confirms the diagnosis.
What Happens After Diagnosis?
If diagnosed with diabetes, your healthcare provider will create a management plan tailored to your needs. This may include:
Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise)
Medications or insulin therapy
Regular blood sugar monitoring
How does a doctor diagnose Diabetes?
A doctor diagnoses diabetes through a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Initially, they review the patient’s medical history, family history, and symptoms, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue. Physical examination may include checking for signs like slow-healing wounds or skin changes. Laboratory tests are critical for confirmation, with common tests including fasting blood sugar (FBS), random blood sugar (RBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). FBS measures glucose levels after an overnight fast, while HbA1c provides an average blood sugar level over 2–3 months. Results above the normal range typically confirm a diabetes diagnosis. Additional tests may be done to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes or to assess complications.
What are the First Signs of Being Diabetic?
The first signs of diabetes can often be subtle and may develop gradually. Common early symptoms include increased thirst and frequent urination as the body tries to flush out excess sugar. You may also experience unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased appetite, along with fatigue due to the body’s inability to use glucose effectively for energy. Blurred vision can occur as high blood sugar levels affect the lens of the eye, and slow healing of wounds or frequent infections may also indicate an impaired immune response. Tingling or numbness in hands and feet might emerge in some cases due to nerve damage. recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for well timed diagnosis and control.
How do I feel if I am Diabetic?
If you have diabetes, you might experience a mix of physical and emotional symptoms. Physically, you could feel unusually tired, thirsty, or hungry, even after eating. Frequent urination, blurry vision, slow-healing wounds, or tingling sensations in your hands or feet might also occur. Diabetes diagnosis involves tests like HbA1c, fasting glucose, or OGTT to confirm the condition and assess its severity. Emotionally, it can be overwhelming to manage the condition, as it requires constant attention to diet, exercise, and blood sugar levels. With proper diabetes diagnosis, management, and support, many people lead healthy, fulfilling lives despite the challenges.
