What you need to know about your lab work and results regarding prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and even Type 1 Diabetes.
The three types of diabetes are Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.
A blood glucose test is required to diagnose which one you have. The test is easy and can be done in just a few minutes at your doctor’s office and the results will typically be available shortly after the test.
When diagnosing an illness, your doctor will order several different blood tests. This is to identify the specific problem. Different types of blood tests detect different issues, some tests show which organs and systems in the body are taking damage.
One of the tests you will undergo to determine your condition is the A1C test. This test helps doctors see how well you are managing your diabetes.
A1c is a blood test that measures your average insulin levels over the past 2-3 months. A normal A1C is anything under 5.7%. If you have an A1C between 5.7 and 6.4%, this implies prediabetes, and if your score is 6.5% or higher, this means you have diabetes.
Treatments, including prescriptions, might be necessary to help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
What Your A1C Number Means and Why It Is Important to Know
Fasting blood sugar test – what you need to know about your lab work:
Another test that you will undergo is the fasting blood sugar test.
This test can detect diabetes and if one is at risk of developing diabetes soon. The fasting blood sugar test checks your glucose level after an extended period of time. You will test after no food or drink, usually when you wake up in the morning.
It is normal to have a fasting glucose reading of 99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). 100 to 125 mg/dL suggests someone may develop prediabetes. A reading of 126 mg/dL or higher shows that the person has diabetes1https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html
Another lab test: glucose tolerance test
This is a common test for individuals suspected of having prediabetes. It measures their blood sugar levels after they drink a solution containing glucose.
Before the test, you will have your blood drawn to assess your blood sugar level. You will not eat overnight and have your blood drawn before the test. You’ll get your blood sugar levels checked within an hour after drinking the liquid.
A person with a blood sugar level of 140mg/dL or below after 2 hours is in the normal range. A level of 140mg/dL or higher indicates prediabetes. A person with a blood sugar level of 200mg/dL or greater will get diagnosed with diabetes2https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451.
You’ll be undergoing a Random Blood Sugar Test at any time during the procedure. This test will measure your blood glucose level. It is most often done when you haven’t eaten anything for 8 hours before the test. If you have elevated blood sugar levels, you are likely to have diabetes.
If your doctor suspects that you have Type 1 Diabetes, it is likely that they will order an autoantibody test. This is because this autoimmune disease cannot be diagnosed through a blood sugar test.
If your results show that you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes it is important to consult with your doctor or nurse.
Share your diagnosis so they can create a customized treatment plan for you. This will help you manage the condition. Taking specific steps to be your healthiest may also help to reduce the severity of the disease. These steps could include eating healthy food, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing physical activity.
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Her tragic family history of Type 2 Diabetes, and her own diagnosis of prediabetes in 2021 caused her to research more deeply, leading to a passion in educating people on how to hopefully put this disease into remission.
