How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Out of the estimated 24 million people with diabetes, one third, or eight million, don’t know they have the disease. According to Martin J. Abrahamson, M.D., Medical Director and Senior Vice President at Joslin Diabetes Center, this is because people with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms. However, a simple blood test is all you need to find out if you are one the millions with untreated diabetes.

Who should be tested?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that everyone aged 45 and over should be tested for diabetes, and if the results are normal, re-tested every three years. But if you have several of the risk factors listed below, you should be tested more often, starting at an earlier age:

· You have a parent or sibling with diabetes
· You are overweight (BMI higher than 25)
· You are African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander
· You had gestational diabetes or a baby weighing over 9 pounds
· Your HDL cholesterol levels are 35 mg/dl or less, and/or your triglyceride level is 250 mg/dl or above
· You have high blood pressure
· You have polycystic ovarian syndrome

What tests are used for diagnosis?

Fasting Plasma Glucose –This blood test is taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. A level of 126 mg/dl or above, on more than one occasion, indicates diabetes.

Casual or Random Glucose - This blood test can be taken anytime during the day, without fasting. A glucose level of 200 mg/dl and above may suggest diabetes.

For more information about diabetes, check out the following articles:

"At Risk" Populations and Diabetes
How Is Diabetes Treated?
4 Myths About Diabetes Debunked