Diabetes Testing
DIABETES TESTING
Regular blood glucose testing by people with diabetes is important to help control it, and also prevent long-term complications. Good control of blood glucose levels can prevent or reduce serious complications.
Frequent testing can show how changes in diet, exercise, medications or weight are having an effect on a patient’s diabetes.
Close monitoring of blood glucose levels allows control and timely intervention to prevent diabetic complications.
Why is testing important for diabetic patients?
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels (blood glucose) gives valuable information as to whether the level is within the normal range.
If kept in control, this can delay the onset or development of long term diabetic complications, which can even be life-threatening.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can monitor their blood sugar themselves, by using thumb prick blood tests which are available as home kits. Self-monitoring is very important for long-term health.
What are the routine tests that are followed?
Regular self testing, recording of blood glucose levels by thumb prick blood tests, laboratory test of HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) level a few times a year should be taken.
Other tests that should be performed routinely include: urine test to monitor kidney function; blood fat levels (cholesterol & triglyceride levels), and tests for kidney function.
Regular blood pressure measurement and treatment if needed.
Examination of the feet is also necessary, as the patient may not be aware of loss of sensation from early nerve damage.
Also, get eyes tested every 1 to 2 years, depending on test results.
How is diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed?
The following test are the normal tests whoich are used for diagnosis:
1. Fasting plasma glucose test –
This measures the blood glucose with a minimum gap of at least 8 hours without eating. It is best done on an empty stomach in the morning. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.
If a person’s fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting glucose (IFG), meaning that one is quite likely to develop type 2 diabetes but does not have it yet.
A level of 126 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that one is diabetic.
99 mg/dL and below – normal, not diabetic
100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL – pre diabetic
126 mg/dL and above – diabetic.
2. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) –
This measures the blood glucose after one has not eaten for least 8 hours, and then 2 hours after drinking 75 grams glucose-containing beverage. This test is used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.
This test is more sensitive than the fasting plasma glucose test for diagnosing pre-diabetes.
If 2 hours after drinking the liquid, the blood glucose level of a person is between 140 and 199 mg/dL, then it a form of pre-diabetes called impaired glucose tolerance or IGT, meaning that one is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but does not have it yet.
Glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that one has diabetes.
139 mg/dL and below – not diabetic, normal
140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL – pre diabetes
200 mg/dL and above – diabetic
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed based on plasma glucose values measured during the OGTT. Blood glucose levels are checked four times during the test. If the blood glucose levels are above normal at least twice during the test, then the person has gestational diabetes.
3. Random plasma glucose test –
This measures blood glucose without regard to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes, but not pre-diabetes.
A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more, alongwith presence of the following symptoms, can suggest that one has diabetes:
· increased urination
· increased thirst
· unexplained weight loss
Other associated symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, increased appetite, and sores that do not heal.
Test results are confirmed only after repeating the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral glucose tolerance test on a different day.
What is HbA1c or the glycosylated haemoglobin test?
HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) gets collected in red blood cells when they are produced. This gives a clue about the blood sugar levels over a couple of months – the average lifespan of a red blood cell. Thus, this test shows the average blood glucose level over time, as compared to the thumb prick test, which indicates blood glucose at the time of testing.
If the HbA1c level is above 7%, consult a doctor for a better diabetes management plan.
If the HbA1c level is above 8%, the doctor may change medication or a more intensive insulin regime be used.
The combination of HbA1c test and thumb prick test results give a better indication of variations in blood glucose levels than either test alone.
How often should blood sugar testing be done?
Diabetic patients who are taking insulin injections should self test 3-4 times everyday, especially before retiring to bed. Type 2 diabetic patients on medicines should self test around a few times every week.
It is best to check glucose levels first thing in the morning; and before and after meals. Keep changing daily test times to get a better idea of the changes to blood glucose levels.
For diabetes information, diabetes diet, diabetes treatment, diabetes causes visit www.diabetesmellitus-information.com
Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-testing-99917.html
admin on November 22nd 2009 in Diabetes Diet Meal Plan
steveandrew4all responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 9:45 am #
diabetes testing?
I don’t know much about diabetes and the internet sites don’t really answer my question: Is there anyway I can test for diabetes without going to the doctor?
luna responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:47 pm #
do not eat sugar and if you think you have it GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why wouldn’t you???
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ArrowHead responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:49 pm #
Well, you could get the kits that diabetics use to test their blood sugar levels.
If in the morning before breakfast your blood sugar level is high, then you are quite possibly diabetic.
I recommend you just visit a doctor, anyway. As long as you have insurance, it should be cheaper than getting a diabetes test kit.
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crabl6 responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:51 pm #
You can buy a machine at the drug store, but you should go to the doctor and have them do a test to make sure you really have diabetes. It wouldn’t make sense to spend money on a machine, test strips and lancelets if you don’t to. Try http://www.dlife.com its a web site on diabetes.
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photografr7 responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:53 pm #
The body normally keeps the sugar level in your blood in the normal range. If you test yourself with a glucose (sugar) monitor – borrow one from a friend that has diabetes – and if your sugar is high long after eating, or low after fasting, you might have diabetes.
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my daugter has Type I diabetes
mompoo responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:55 pm #
Yes, you can buy the monitor, strips and lancets at the pharmacy.
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gangadharan_nair responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:57 pm #
Please see the webpages for more details on Diabetes. You can purchase a glucometer and check blood sugar yourselves or go to the nearest clinical lab and get your blood sugar level tested. But in the case of diabetes, periodical checkups by the doctor are compulsory in order to avoid complications. Foods having low carbohydrates and fat, daily exercise and anti-diabetic pills are essential factors in controlling the diabetes.
References :
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001214.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/medical_notes/253464.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose_test
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003482.htm
salome responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 2:59 pm #
sure. you can visit some health fair and they do that for free. or if you know someone who is diabetic, they own gluco meter, you can ask a favor to check your glucose and see if your results are something to worry about. usually if your family have a history, you might consider a risk of becoming a diabetic due to genetic factors. but if you really want to make sure 100%, check with your doctor cause they can order the hgb (hemoglobin) test, that is the accurate testing for diabetes.
check on line what are the sign and symptoms then consult your physician if you really feel you need to be tested.
honestly, i didn’t know that i am diabetic until 2002 when i came back from traveling. i was hospitalized but i know already, i have a tendency to become one, due to my family history it involves with both side-my paternal grandmother, my own mother and aunt..
but now, since diabetic people are high percentage now these days, i don’t think of it as something rare to worry about….i guess that is how i think of it. just live your life and see doc once in a month.
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omapat responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 3:01 pm #
Just about any walk in clinic will give you the test but that won’t tell you much without testing for an extended amount of time.
If you have any friend or family member that is diabetic you can ask them if they will do the testing for you using their monitor & strips.
What is your question that the diabete websites are not answering for you?
You do not need a doctors permission to buy ANY of the supplies that a diabetic needs (other than type 2 meds) insulin, syrings, monitors, strips are all over the counter items. (I am talking about in America only, I don’t know the rules for other countrys)
I suggest you keep looking up information on the websites AND to see a doctor, PA, or free clinic if you think you might have this hateful diease, its nothing to fool around with. .
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Michal responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 3:03 pm #
U need detail information about Diabetes.
http://www.eastherb.com
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hard headed diabectic responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 3:05 pm #
better go to doc only he can tell u for sure if you do and then you can
have a clear mind
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J responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 3:07 pm #
Do you know anyone with a glucometer? They can let you use theirs to check your sugar on. Otherwise you can buy starter kits at the drug store for anywhere from $20-$50. Sometimes the Health departments/hospitals will put on free screenings at malls and what-not.
If you get a reading use these general guidelines :
For overnight fasting:
70-99 normal
>126 on 2 separate occasions = diabetes, see a doc
in between may be impaired glucose tolerance, see a doc to determine
For random:
>200 with symptoms (increased thirst, urination, etc) = diabetes
>250 regardless of symptoms
References :
diabetic in med school
shelly responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 3:09 pm #
Somewhat. You can go to a local drug store buy a blood glucose meter and test. If your blood sugar is over 200 you should go see your doctor about it. You can also buy ketone sticks. These are sticks where you have to urinate on them and then match the color of the urination spot to the box. If they are large or medium, again you should probably see your doctor.
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Allison D responded on 22 Nov 2009 at 3:11 pm #
you’ll have to get a metor
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