Diabetes is confirmed by checking the results of several laboratory tests that evaluate the amount of glucose circulating in the blood: the fasting blood glucose test, the hair glucose test, the glucose tolerance test (TOTG), and the glycosylated hemoglobin test.
Tests that measure the amount of glucose in the blood are prescribed by the doctor when the person has a family member with diabetes or when they have characteristic symptoms of the disease, such as constant thirst, frequent urination, or weight loss for no apparent reason. However, these tests can be prescribed without risk of diabetes, just for the doctor to monitor the general health of the person. Learn to recognize the symptoms of diabetes.
- Normal blood glucose levels vary by test type and may also vary by lab due to testing technique.
- In general.
- Diabetes test values are shown in the following table:.
Hair glucose test
Glycé of hemoglobin
Through the results of these tests, your doctor is able to identify prediabetes and diabetes to indicate the best treatment for the person to avoid complications related to the disease, such as ketoacidosis and retinopathy, for example.
To know your risk of developing this disease now, take the following test:
This test is most requested by your doctor and the test is done from taking an initial blood sample of at least 8 hours or as recommended by your doctor.If the value is greater than the reference value, your doctor may request more.tests, especially the lyqué hemoglobin test, which indicates the average amount of glucose in the three months prior to the test, so your doctor can evaluate whether the person is at risk or if you have the disease.
If the fasting blood glucose result indicates prediabetes, lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet and physical activity, are necessary to prevent the onset of the disease; However, when the diagnosis of the disease is confirmed, in addition to lifestyle changes, it is also necessary to take medication and, in some cases, insulin.
Find out what prediabete foods should look like
The glucose tolerance test, also known as a glycemic curve test, is performed to evaluate the body’s functioning at different glucose concentrations, for this purpose three blood glucose measurements are performed: the first is performed with an empty head, the second 1 hour after ingestion of the sugary drink, dextrosol or garapa , and the third 2 hours after the first measurement.
In some cases, 4 blood samples may be taken until 2 hours of consumption are completed, blood samples taken 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption of the sugary drink.
This test is important to aid in the diagnosis of diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance and pancreatic changes, and is also highly sought after in gestational diabetes research.
The hair glucose test is the finger puncture test, which is performed through the rapid glucose measuring machine, which can be found in pharmacies and gives the result on site. There is no need to fast for this test and this can be done at any time.This test is mainly used by people who already have a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes to control blood sugar during the day.
The glycosylated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin test is performed by taking an empty blood sample and provides information on the amount of glucose circulating in the blood in the last 3 months before the test.Glucose circulating in the blood attaches to hemoglobin and remains bound until the end of the life of red blood cells, which is 120 days.
Glycosylated hemoglobin can also be used to assess disease improvement or worsening, and the higher the value, the greater its severity and risk of complications.Understand what it’s for and how to understand the result of the hemoglobin test.
All people with diabetes symptoms are advised to undergo tests to confirm the disease, as well as pregnant women, to avoid complications related to excess blood sugar during pregnancy; In addition, people who lose a lot of weight for no apparent reason, especially children and adolescents should also undergo blood glucose tests to diagnose the possibility of type 1 diabetes.
Finally, it’s important to remember that all diabetics need to be tested regularly for better disease control.Watch the video below to learn how to identify symptoms and how to treat diabetes: