Tests that confirm diabetes

There are 4 different tests that can confirm diabetes: fasting glucose, capillary glycemia test, glucose tolerance test, and glycated hemoglobin test.

In general, the doctor asks for these tests when the patient has someone in the family with this disease or when it presents characteristic symptoms of it, such as constant thirst, frequent urge to urinate or weight loss for no apparent reason, for example. See all the symptoms here.

The following table summarizes the test results that confirm the diagnosis of diabetes.

It is important to remember that the blood test is the main test used to confirm the diagnosis of the disease, and it is sometimes necessary to repeat the test on different days. However, when fasting blood glucose is between 110 and 125 mg / dL means pre-diabetes, which is the patient's high risk of developing the disease.

To find out now your risk of developing this disease, answer the following test:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
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• 8

Learn about your risk of developing diabetes

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• Male
• female

• Less than 40 years
• Between 40 and 50 years
• Between 50 and 60 years
• Over 60 years

• Greater than 102 cm
• Between 94 and 102 cm
• Less than 94 cm

• Yes
• Not

• Two more times a week
• Less than twice a week

• Not
• Yes, relatives in 1st grade: parents and / or siblings
• Yes, relatives in 2nd grade: grandparents and / or uncles

Fasting glucose test

The fasting glucose test is the standard blood test, which should be done after a fast of at least 8 hours. The results of the examination can be:

• Normal: less than 110 mg / dl;
• Risk of diabetes: between 110 and 126 mg / dl;
• Diabetes: greater than 126 mg / dL.

If the result is a risk of diabetes, lifestyle changes, such as altering the diet and doing physical activity, must be done to prevent the onset of the disease. However, when the diagnosis of the disease is confirmed, in addition to changes in lifestyle, it is also necessary to take medications and, in some cases, insulin. Here's how pre-diabetes feeding should be.

Glucose tolerance test

During the glucose tolerance test, a liquid containing glucose should be taken and after 2 hours a blood sample is collected to make the measurement. The results of this test can be:

• Normal: less than 140 mg / dl;
• Risk of diabetes: between 141 and 199 mg / dl;
• Diabetes: greater than 200 mg / dl.

Depending on the outcome of the examination, treatment should be started to control the disease. Here's how to diet to control diabetes.

Capillary glycemia test

The capillary glycemia test is the finger prick test, done through the fast glucose meter, which can be found in pharmacies and gives the result on time.

It is not necessary to fast for this test, since the result is positive if it is higher than 200 mg / dl and must be confirmed by a blood test.

Glycated hemoglobin test

The glycated hemoglobin test is done from the normal blood test, and its results are:

• Normal: less than 5.7%;
• Risk of diabetes: between 5.7 and 6.5%;
• Diabetes: greater than 6.5%.

Glycated hemoglobin can also be used to assess the improvement or worsening of the disease, and the higher the value, the greater its severity and the risk of complications.

Who should do these exams?

It is advised that all people with diabetes symptoms should be tested to confirm the disease, as well as pregnant women, to prevent complications associated with excess blood sugar during pregnancy. See the risks of gestational diabetes.

In addition, people who are losing a lot of weight for no apparent reason, especially children and adolescents, also need to take blood glucose tests to diagnose the possibility of type 1 diabetes.

Finally, it is important to remember that all diabetics should take the tests regularly to have better control of the disease.

Watch the following video to learn how to identify the symptoms and how diabetes treatment should be: