Diabetes Diagnosis

A test for diabetes is usually prompted by one or more of the outward symptoms such as excessive urination and excessive thirst. But diabetes diagnosis is one of number of standard tests during many types of ordinary healthchecks or medical investigations, so you may be checked for diabetes at any time.

If you are over 45 or so (or if you have one or more of the diabetes risk factors) then you should consider asking your doctor for a diabetes check if you haven't had one recently — a positive diabetes diagnosis before it's had chance to do any damage could save your life.

Diabetes Mellitus Types 1 and 2

The proper, full, name for Diabetes Types 1 and 2 is "Diabetes Mellitus Types 1 and 2", but most people just refer to Type 1 or Type 2.

Tests for Diabetes Mellitus include:

• Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (usually shortened to FPG or FGT): a blood test after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (shortened to OGTT): a blood test after drinking a glucose-rich drink.

A diagnosis session usually looks for one of the following:

• Fasting Plasma Glucose level greater than 125 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l)

• Plasma glucose level greater than 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) two hours after eating 75g of glucose

• Random plasma glucose test greater than 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l)

If there is any uncertainty then the test will be repeated another day. FPG is preferred by doctors because it is quick and convenient; and two positive results for FPG means you have diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes

The tests for Pre-Diabetes uses the same tests as for Diabetes Mellitus (above), and a diagnosis session looks for the following:

• OGTT results between 140 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl (or 7.8mmol/l and 11.1 mmol/l) imply you have Pre-Diabetes; if your level for OGTT is greater than 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) then you probably have full diabetes.

• FPG results between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl (or 6.1 mmol/l and 7.0 mmol/l) mean you have Pre-Diabetes. If your result is greater than 125 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) then you usually have another test; if that level is confirmed that implies you have full diabetes.

Diabetes Insipidus

Tests for Diabetes Insipidus include blood and urine tests to test glucose, bicarbonate, and calcium levels; also, a fluid deprivation test finds out whether it is caused by excessive intake of liquid, insufficient levels of ADH, or a defective response in your kidneys.

Afterwards

So you have been diagnosed with diabetes. If you have Type 1 or 2 you will have to get your head around the fact that you will be diabetic for the rest of your life. You may feel a wide variety of emotions in the first few weeks as you come to terms with your condition. But you must remember: even though you will probably have to make some changes to your lifestyle, you can still live a full and happy life; and you will be assigned to a team of healthcare professionals who will help you through the early days and provide support for the rest of your life.