How is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be tested in multiple ways in a health care facility by your primary care doctor. The two main tests include the A1C test and a fasting blood sugar test which both require a blood sample to test for blood sugar content.   

The A1C Test  

This test is used to show a patient’s average level of blood glucose over the past two to three months. This can help determine if the hormone insulin is properly allowing cells to accept glucose for energy. If not, extra glucose will remain in the blood. Technically, A1C measures the amount of glucose that is attached to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a part of red blood cells in the bloodstream that deliver oxygen to everywhere in the body. Diabetes is diagnosed if an A1C is greater or equal to 6.5%. A normal A1C is less than 5.7%. Percentages will vary from person to person based on factors including age, gender, and weight.   

Fasting Plasma Glucose/ Fasting Blood Sugar Test  

This test is only successful when a patient does not eat or drink anything in the last eight hours except for water. When someone is fasting, the liver will release stored glucose so cells can get energy without a source of food. Diabetes is diagnosed if fasting glucose levels are greater or equal to 126 mg/dl. A typical test result is anything less than 100 mg/dl.   

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test  

This test is not standard because it requires at least two hours to test blood sugar levels before and after a patient drinks 8 ounces of a liquid glucose syrup containing high amounts of sugar. By testing glucose levels both before and after, doctors can determine how well your body processes sugar. Diabetes is diagnosed at 2 hours of blood sugar levels greater than 200 mg/dl. An average blood sugar level is less than 140 mg/dl.   

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