Contents:
- Medical Video: Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
- Who should routine diabetes screening?
- How do doctors diagnose type 2 diabetes?
- 1. Hemoglobin A1C test
- 2. Fasting glucose test
- 3. When blood sugar tests
- 4. Oral glucose tolerance test
- What should I do after being diagnosed?
Medical Video: Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Sentencing a doctor that you have type 2 diabetes can be very surprising. Although it cannot be cured, type 2 diabetes is a condition that can be controlled. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the lower the risk of complications. This is what causes the importance to be diagnosed as soon as possible.
Who should routine diabetes screening?
Most people are diagnosed through routine screening tests. In general, routine screening for diabetes begins at the age of 45 years. You may need to be screened immediately if:
- Overweight
- Implement an unhealthy lifestyle, for example, rarely exercise and often consume foods high in sugar
- Have a family with a history of type 2 diabetes
- Have a history of gestational diabetes or give birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg
- Has a low level of good cholesterol (HDL) or high triglyceride levels
How do doctors diagnose type 2 diabetes?
Some tests that are often used to detect type 2 diabetes include:
1. Hemoglobin A1C test
The glycated hemoglobin test (A1C) is a long-term measurement of blood sugar control. This test allows doctors to know the average level of blood sugar over the past few months.
The hemoglobin A1C test works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar that is bound to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an oxygen carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher the hemoglobin A1C, the higher the level of blood sugar.
A1C levels of 6.5 percent or more on tests done more than once indicate that you have diabetes. While results between 5.7 and 6.4 percent indicate prediabetes. Normal levels are below 5.7 percent.
Hemoglobin A1C examination can also be used to monitor blood sugar control after you are diagnosed. A1C levels should be checked several times a year.
2. Fasting glucose test
Your doctor may also do a fasting blood sugar test. In this case, your blood sample will be taken after you fast overnight.
Normal blood sugar level after fasting is less than 100 mg / dL (5.6 mmol / L). Blood sugar levels after fasting between 100 to 125 mg / dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol / L) indicate prediabetes. If your test shows a level of 126 mg / dL (7 mmol / L) or higher on two different tests, then you have type 2 diabetes.
3. When blood sugar tests
There are a number of conditions in which the hemoglobin A1C test is invalid. For example, it cannot be used in pregnant women, or in people with hemoglobin variations. For people with this condition, test blood sugar when it can be used.
This blood sugar test can be done at any time. Check blood sugar without considering your last meal.
Blood sugar values are displayed in the form of milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) or millimole per liter (mmol / L). No matter when you last ate, the blood sugar test when it was at 200 mg / dL (11.1 mmol / L) or above suggested that you have diabetes. This is especially true if you already have symptoms of diabetes.
4. Oral glucose tolerance test
The oral glucose tolerance test also requires previous overnight fasts. You will fast before a blood sugar test. Then you will drink sugar liquid. After you finish, your blood sugar level will be checked periodically for several hours.
After two hours, normal blood sugar levels are less than 140 mg / dL (7.8 mmol / L). If after two hours your results are more than 200 mg / dL (11.1 mmol / L) indicate you have diabetes. Results between these levels indicate prediabetes.
A glucose tolerance test is also used to diagnose gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
What should I do after being diagnosed?
Diagnosis of diabetes is only the first step. Once you know you have diabetes, you must maintain health. It is important to routinely check your health to the doctor. Taking a blood test and recording symptoms are important steps to ensure long-term health.
The doctor will check your health. However, keep in mind that you are fully responsible for your health. Diabetes cannot be cured, but you can control this disease. The key is you have a commitment to adopt a healthy lifestyle to control your blood sugar.
