Diabetes - Diagnosis
Last Updated on Saturday, 08 August 2009 12:17
Diabetes Diagnosis
Patients should undergo screening tests for diabetes every three to six months.
Some of the laboratory diagnostic tests carried out are as follows:
Random glucose test:
Glucose levels are measured at a random time on any two occasions. If the figure for either test is above 11.1 mmol/l, this is treated as a confirmation of diabetes.
Fasting glucose test:
The glucose level is measured after an overnight fast and on two different days. If the figure for either day is above 7.0 mmol/l, this is treated as a confirmation of diabetes.
Glucose tolerance test:
If the first two tests described above are not conclusive, then a glucose tolerance test is carried out. A glucose drink containing 75 g of glucose is administered after an overnight fast and two blood samples are taken, one before the drink and the other two hours later. Readings of the blood glucose level from the second sample are interpreted as follows:
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Above 11.1 mmol/l - Diabetes is present.
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Below 7.8 mmol/l – This is considered a normal level.
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Between the two numbers as above – this is treated as a case of decreased tolerance for glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
