Diabetes is a long-term disease that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin or effectively use glucose. It is important to diagnose it early and treat it well to avoid further developments like heart complications, kidney impairment, and neuropathy. Diabetes screening can be done in different ways and all the procedures are aimed at measuring the amount of sugar in the blood and how the body copes with it. This article provides information on the various available diabetes tests, how they are conducted, and what the outcome entails.
Several tests may be used to diagnose diabetes. All the tests focus on various aspects of glucose metabolism and offer useful data for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Procedure: The fasting plasma glucose is effective for patients having no food for 8 hours duration. It is one of the most popular tests that are used in the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes conditions.
How It Works: A blood sample is taken from the vein most commonly from the subject’s arm and then taken to the laboratory for testing. The blood glucose level is checked to know whether it is normal or whether it shows diabetes.
Procedure: The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) assesses the ability of the body to manage glucose. This one involves the consumption of no food after a certain time at night, followed by the taking of a drink with a high glucose content and having blood samples taken from the individual at intervals to measure the amount of glucose in the blood.
How It Works: This is usually done after at least twelve hours of fasting and then a blood sample is drawn to test the initial glucose concentration. The patient then takes a glucose solution in which 75 grams of glucose is dissolved in it. Blood samples are then taken at one hour and two hours to determine the effect of glucose level in the body.
Procedure: The Random Plasma Glucose Test is taken at any time of the day irrespective of the time taken for the last meal. This test is administered in cases of emergencies or when other tests cannot be done for diagnosing diabetes.
How It Works: Samples of blood can be collected at any time of the day and the patient does not necessarily have to fast before the test is carried out. There are no pre-test preparations needed for this test.
Procedure: CGM is a technique of monitoring blood glucose during the day and at night with the help of a small sensor that is implanted under the skin.
How does it work? The Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system measures glucose concentration in the interstitial fluid which is a fluid found around cells of the body. In contrast to the fingerstick methods that determine glucose concentration in the blood sample, the CGM sensor is implanted subcutaneously, in the areas such as the abdomen or upper arm. After placement, the sensor tracks glucose levels in the interstitial fluid at intervals and provides results comparable to blood glucose levels.
It monitors the variations in blood sugar levels during the day as well as at night. This information is relayed to a receiver or an application in the smartphone in which users can analyze trends and patterns. These continuous readings assist the patient to learn how his/her glucose level reacts to issues like; food intake, exercise, medications, and stress.
In the same manner, the CGM system has alarms on high or low Glucose levels, so that necessary action can be taken. It also enables patients to decide on the right amounts of insulin to take, when to eat, or how to change their lifestyles, hence enhancing the management of diabetes and its effects on their health.
Preparation for diabetes tests may vary depending on the type of test: Preparation for diabetes tests may vary depending on the type of test:
Diabetes screening is a very important part of diabetes control and prevention of the disease. Several screening methods such as fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance, blood hemoglobin A1c, random plasma glucose, and continuous glucose monitoring provide important information about blood glucose and metabolic status. Knowledge of how these tests are performed, the need for preparation, and the results’ meaning can contribute to the timely diagnosis and adequate control of diabetes. Screening and visits to the doctors ensure the blood sugar levels are well regulated and there are little chances of complications arising.
The testing frequency is based on the personal risk factors and medical conditions of a person. Those who are at high risk or have signs and symptoms of the disease should go for annual screening tests. If one is diagnosed with the condition, then he or she may need more frequent testing to check on the blood glucose level.
However, in a fasting plasma glucose test, you should not take any food for at least 8 hours before the test.
Please consult your doctor for other assessment and advice regarding your condition. In some cases, they may be abnormal which can cause more tests and sometimes changes in lifestyle or medication.
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