7 Diabetes Tests Everyone should know about

Diabetes tests do two tasks. Firstly, they diagnose a person with diabetes—type 1, type 2, gestational or prediabetic— then they help in the regular checking of blood glucose levels.

Furthermore, a person can regularly monitor blood sugar levels at home. Steps to do this are mentioned below. Further, there are other supplementary tests a doctor may prescribe. Those are also mentioned.

Read on!

What Are the Tests to Check Diabetes?

Tests for diabetes are of 3 major types: blood tests, urine tests and gestational tests. A doctor prescribes these tests for diagnosis or routine checking of blood sugar levels.

1. Diabetes Blood Test

Diabetes blood tests are carried out to determine the current stage of diabetes one is facing. There are 4 stages of the diseases that a diabetes blood test can identify. These are:

Prediabetes
Diabetes type 1
Diabetes type 2
Gestational diabetes

Blood tests for diabetes are pretty routine affairs, and the results should be available in less than 5 days. Since blood tests are simple, they are the preferred way of diagnosis.

A1c Test

This diabetes blood test is used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as prediabetes. Moreover, if a patient has been living with diabetes, this test is also helpful to determine how well they have been managing blood sugar levels.

Other names for an A1c test are:

Glycated haemoglobin
Glycosylated haemoglobin
Haemoglobin A1c or HbA1c test

But how does an A1c test determine the average blood sugar level over 2 to 3 months? It does this by looking at a percentage of haemoglobin proteins coated with sugar, that is, those that are “glycated.” Haemoglobin proteins carry oxygen in red blood cells.

You may need to take this test multiple times, depending on the treatment plan your doctor has prescribed. The table gives a rough idea of how often you may need to take this test.

Type of Treatment	No. of Times to Take This Test in a Year
Prediabetes	1
Don’t use insulin, but blood sugar levels are within the normal range	2
Use insulin, and blood sugar levels do not stay within the normal range	4

Test results for the A1c test can be determined as follows:

A1c%	Blood Sugar Level	Results
4	68	Normal
5	97	Normal/Prediabetic if above 5.7%
6	126	Prediabetes
7	152	Diabetes
8	183	Diabetes
9	212	Diabetes
10	240	Diabetes
11	269	Diabetes
12	298	Diabetes
13	326	Diabetes
14	355	Diabetes

Based on the results, your doctor may suggest a change in the treatment plan or advise you to continue the current program.

Random Blood Sugar Test

This diabetes blood test determines the sugar level at the time of testing. Moreover, this test is taken at any time, and there is no need for fasting. Further, this test can be done at home. First, a small needle pricks the skin, and the blood is wiped onto a strip. Then, the device takes the blood sugar level reading from the strip.

People living with diabetes should consider investing in this gadget as it is highly useful for daily regulation.

However, random blood sugar tests are mostly done by those who are already suffering from diabetes. It is not done to determine whether a person has type 1 or 2 diabetes. Moreover, if a person notices any diabetic symptoms, they may take the random blood sugar test for a couple of days. If the sugar levels are above normal, it is time to consult a doctor.

A doctor may then prescribe more pin-pointed tests to diagnose type 1 or 2 diabetes.

The results for the random blood sugar tests are determined as follows:

Table to Show Results of a Random Blood Sugar TestRandom Blood Sugar Test

Random Blood Sugar Test	Results
Above 200 mg/dL	Diabetes
Less than 200 mg/dL	N/A

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

A fasting blood sugar test is done after an overnight fast. This test works on the principle of releasing glucose by our body with the help of insulin. For example, after a meal, our body releases sugars into the bloodstream. Then hormone insulin is released, which breaks down this sugar for storing.

In a diabetic person, this insulin release mechanism is faulty. As a result, our body does not release sufficient insulin to tackle the increase in sugar levels, or else the body begins to attack this insulin it produces.

The fasting blood sugar test is required to understand insulin production and sugar regulation in the body. Hence this diabetes blood test is very useful for those diagnosed with diabetes. It is an important aspect of the treatment.

The test results can be determined as below:

Test Results for Fasting Blood Sugar

Amount of Blood Sugar in mg/dL	Results
99 mg/dL or lower	Normal
100-125 mg/Dl	Prediabetes
126 mg/dL or higher	Diabetes

Using this table, you can determine the severity of your condition.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

This diabetes blood test is also oriented towards checking the functioning of insulin in a person. First, the person has to fast overnight. Then the fasting blood sugar level is measured.

Following that, the person has to drink a sugary drink. Then the blood sugar levels will be tested continuously for the next two hours.

Here is how this diabetes test can determine the sugar level.

Test Results for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Amount of Blood Sugar in mg/dL	Results
140 mg/dL or below	Normal
140-199 mg/dL	Prediabetes
200 mg/dL	Diabetes

Once the sugar level has been determined, a doctor will decide on the next course of action.

2. Urine Test

Urine tests are not considered accurate diabetes tests for diagnosis. However, they are used for monitoring the blood sugar level.

When there is an increase in blood sugar and a decrease in the insulin hormone, the body uses the fat to produce energy.

As a result, when it performs this synthesis, it releases ketones as a by-product. These ketones are released into the urine as waste products.

Hence, testing for them can help to track the lack of insulin or the blood sugar levels.

Ketones are acidic and highly poisonous to the body. Any build-up can lead to a coma or death. Hence, it is important to drink water regularly if diabetic to remove this toxic material from the body.

Mostly, doctors recommend urine tests as a diabetes test for a routine check-up. If glucose and insulin are present, then it could mean the body is not producing sufficient insulin.

Moreover, those with type 1 diabetes need ketone testing in urine rather than glucose testing.

Further, the table below shows the results for ketone testing in urine.

Test Results for a Ketone Urine Test

Amount of Ketone in Urine	Result
10 to 30 mg/dL	Small to moderate (Ketone build-up is starting)
30 to 50 mg/dL	Moderate to large (diabetes is not being managed well)
Greater than 50mg/dL	Very large (you have Diabetic Ketoacidosis)

Finally, diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition. Consequently, you may experience nausea, vomiting, brain swelling, coma and even death.

3. Gestational Diabetes Test

The third type of diabetes test is done for a pregnant woman at the start of the pregnancy.

Again, doctors would evaluate gestational diabetes if the pregnant woman was at high or average risk for the condition.

Based on the risk, the evaluation will be done as follows:

High Risk for Gestational Diabetes

The doctor may test the pregnant woman for gestational diabetes at the first prenatal check-up if she has suffered any of the following before:

She had gestational diabetes during her previous pregnancy.
She was obese at the start of her pregnancy.
She may have close blood relatives with diabetes.

Average Risk for Gestational Diabetes

If a doctor determines you have an average risk for gestational diabetes, he will schedule a test during the second trimester, around 24-28 weeks.

Following the results of the diabetes test, the treatment will be determined by a doctor.

There are two tests that a doctor may request to confirm gestational diabetes. These are as follows:

Initial Glucose Challenge Test

The pregnant woman has to drink a glucose solution. After one hour, the blood sugar level will be tested. These test conditions vary from lab to lab.

After this test, based on blood sugar level, a doctor may send you on for more tests to confirm the presence of gestational diabetes.

Here is how results are determined.

Test Results for an Initial Glucose Challenge Test

Amount of Blood Sugar	Result
>140 mg/dL	At risk for gestational diabetes
< 140 mg/dL	Normal

Follow-up Glucose Tolerance Testing or Glucose Tolerance Test

The follow-glucose tolerance test is similar to the oral glucose tolerance test. The pregnant woman has to fast overnight and report for a fasting blood sugar level the next morning.

After the first test, the lady has to drink a sweet solution. After this, the blood sugar level will be checked hourly for three hours. The diabetes test results are as follows:

Test Results for the Follow-up Glucose Tolerance Test

Condition	Result
If a minimum of 2 of the blood sugar readings are higher than the normal established values for that period	Gestational diabetes confirmed
If less than 2 readings are higher than the normal established values for that period	No gestational diabetes

Following these diabetes tests, a woman can be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The treatment and precautions can then begin. Further, persons who have diabetes can also take the diabetes test at home.

What Are Diabetes Home Tests?

Diabetes tests which are carried out at home, come in a kit. These tests usually include the following three components:

Lancet or needle to prick the skin and draw blood
Strips of paper to catch the blood
Blood glucose monitoring gadget

Mostly, kits come with all three components. Whereas others have only the gadget and the strips and lancet have to be sourced from elsewhere.

There are different rates for the gadgets, so check with the insurance company before purchasing.

Who Should Do a Diabetes Home Test?

While the diagnostic tests for diabetes need to be carried out at a verified centre, home tests should only be done for monitoring purposes. Therefore, if a person has been diagnosed with diabetes, they should invest in this monitoring kit and periodically check their blood sugar levels.

Therefore, the following persons must perform regular home tests for diabetes:

Prediabetes
Type 1
Type 2
Gestational diabetes

How to Perform a Diabetes Home Test?

To perform diabetes tests at home, first, a person will need to purchase the kit.

Following that, follow these steps to perform the test at home:

Step 1: Completely wash and dry hands. Both the person and the administering helper should do this.
Step 2: Clean the testing area (usually a fingertip, as it shows variation in blood sugar level quicker) with an alcohol swab or soapy water. Dry it after.
Step 3: Some lancets allow the user to set how deep they want it to penetrate. However, you should set it deep the first time if you have thick skin around your fingertips.
Step 4: Prick the finger.
Step 5: Squeeze out a drop of blood and apply it to the paper strip.
Step 6: Note and record the blood glucose level and inform your doctor if it is too high.

Sometimes you may also need to measure the HbA1c. The procedure is the same as above.

Other Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis

Apart from the above tests, there are other tests that your doctor can recommend. Here is a brief look at them.

Complete Blood Count

The CBC test gives a complete analysis of the blood components such as WBC, RBC and hemoglobin and platelets. This test is done to rule out other underlying medical conditions.

Cholesterol Test

Diabetes increases the chance of cholesterol and heart diseases. Therefore, regular cholesterol tests are also recommended for people with diabetes.

Triglycerides

Along with the cholesterol test, a doctor may recommend a triglycerides test. Triglycerides are a type of fat that causes heart disease in women.

Electrolytes

This test measures sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and potassium, the main electrolytes. These tests are prescribed as a precaution for the effectiveness of the treatment.

C-peptides

C-peptide levels usually match the amount of insulin in the body. Therefore, the low presence of one indicates the low presence of the hormone insulin. Further, low C-peptides indicate type 1 diabetes.

Insulin Autoantibodies

This particular test looks for those antibodies the body produces in type 1 diabetes. These same antibodies also target beta cells.

Lastly, those were some of the additional tests a doctor may recommend for routine diabetic check-ups.

In conclusion, these are the diabetes tests a person may need to undergo to diagnose, monitor and treat their diabetes. A doctor will decide which tests need to be performed and at what frequency. Hence, avoid self-medicating for diabetes.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ Which diabetes test is most accurate?

The A1c test is the most accurate as it finds out long-term diabetic problems. Other tests measure short-term diabetes. Therefore, the A1c is the most crucial test for diagnosis.

✓ Can diabetes be cured?

No, diabetes cannot be cured. However, it can be regulated. For example, regular exercise, diet and medication can help to maintain blood sugar levels. Therefore, though there is no cure, you can adapt to control the disease.