DIABETES

TEST FOR DIABETES

A1C Test

The A1C TEST measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 or 3 months. An A1C below 5.7% is normal, between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates you have prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

This measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating). A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Glucose Tolerance Test

This measures blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward. At 2 hours, a blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or lower is considered normal, 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Random Blood Sugar Test

This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You can take this test at any time and don’t need to fast (not eat) first. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Result*	A1C Test	Fasting Blood Sugar Test	Glucose Tolerance Test	Random Blood Sugar Test
Diabetes	6.5% or above	126 mg/dL or above	200 mg/dL or above	200 mg/dL or above
Prediabetes	5.7 – 6.4%	100 – 125 mg/dL	140 – 199 mg/dL	N/A
Normal	Below 5.7%	99 mg/dL or below	140 mg/dL or below	N/A

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes.
Source: American Diabetes Association

If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, your blood may also tested for autoantibodies (substances that indicate your body is attacking itself) that are often present in type 1 diabetes but not in type 2 diabetes. You may have your urine tested for ketones (produced when your body burns fat for energy), which also indicate type 1 diabetes instead of type 2 diabetes.

Tests for Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using blood tests. You’ll probably be tested between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If your risk is higher for getting gestational diabetes (due to having more risk factors), your doctor may test you earlier. Blood sugar that’s higher than normal early in your pregnancy may indicate you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes rather than gestational diabetes.

Glucose Screening Test

This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You’ll drink a liquid that contains glucose, and then 1 hour later your blood will be drawn to check your blood sugar level. A normal result is 140 mg/dL or lower. If your level is higher than 140 mg/dL, you’ll need to take a glucose tolerance test.

Glucose Tolerance Test

This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You’ll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward. Results can differ depending on the size of the glucose drink and how often your blood sugar is tested. Ask your doctor what your test results mean.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. There are several types of diabetes, each with its own causes, symptoms, and treatments:

1. Type 1 Diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body produces little to no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to survive.
2. Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for the majority of cases. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. It can be managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, insulin, or other injectable medications.
3. Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy when the body is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of pregnancy. It usually develops around the 24th week of pregnancy and resolves after childbirth. However, women who develop gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
4. Monogenic Diabetes: This is a rare form of diabetes caused by mutations in a single gene. It can be inherited and often presents at a younger age than type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Monogenic diabetes is sometimes misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but it may require different treatments.
5. Secondary Diabetes: Secondary diabetes refers to diabetes that develops as a result of another medical condition or factor, such as pancreatitis, hormonal disorders, certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids), or genetic syndromes.
6. Other Types: There are also other less common types of diabetes, including cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, steroid-induced diabetes, and diabetes associated with certain genetic syndromes.

TYPES OF INSULIN

Insulin Type	Onset	Peak Time	Duration	Method
Rapid acting​	15 minutes	1 hour	2 to 4 hours	Usually taken right before a meal. Often used with longer-acting insulin.
Rapid-acting inhaled	10 to 15 minutes	30 minutes	3 hours	Usually taken right before a meal. Often used with injectable long-acting insulin.
Regular/short acting	30 minutes	2 to 3 hours	3 to 6 hours	Usually taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal.
Intermediate acting	2 to 4 hours	4 to 12 hours	12 to 18 hours	Covers insulin needs for half a day or overnight. Often used with rapid- or short-acting insulin.
Long acting	2 hours	Does not peak	Up to 24 hours	Covers insulin needs for about a full day. Often used, when needed, with rapid- or short-acting insulin.
Ultra-long acting	6 hours	Does not peak	36 hours or longer	Provides steady insulin for long periods.
Premixed	5 to 60 minutes	Peaks vary	10 to 16 hours	Combines intermediate- and short-acting insulin. Usually taken 10 to 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.