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Diagnosis of Diabetes

Diagnosis of Diabetes:


A condition is known as prediabetes that often leads to type 2 diabetes also produces no symptoms. Type 2 diabetes and its symptoms develop slowly.

Type 1 diabetes can go unnoticed but is less likely to do so. Some of its symptoms listed below can come on abruptly and be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or stomach pains.2-4

It is important to see a doctor if there is any suspicion of diabetes or if any of the below signs and symptoms are present - prompt diagnosis and management lowers the likelihood of serious complications.5

The most common symptoms are related to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), especially the classic symptoms of diabetes: frequent urination and thirst. Fatigue related to dehydration and eating problems can also be related to high blood sugars.5,6

The International Diabetes Foundation highlight four symptoms that should prompt someone to get checked for diabetes as soon as possible

Accurate tests are available to doctors to definitively confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.

Before tests are conducted, a diagnosis may be suspected when patients report certain symptoms. Doctors will evaluate these symptoms by asking questions about the patient's medical history.1

Doctors may also carry out a physical examination, including checks for complications that could have already developed - examining the feet for changes in sensation, for example, .2
Testing can be part of routine screening for people at risk of the disease, who may show up as having prediabetes. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends diabetes testing for anyone overweight at the age of 45 years and over, alongside anyone under the age of 45 with one or more of the following risk factors:2,3

Hypertension (high blood pressure):

High cholesterol
History of diabetes in the family
African-American, Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Native American or Pacific Islander background
History of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or delivering a baby over 9 lbs.
Blood tests for diabetes diagnosisFinger pick fo a blood test.
Diagnoses of diabetes are confirmed through 1 of 3 types of a blood test.
One of three blood tests can be used to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes:2-5


Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels - a blood test after 8 hours of no eating

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) - to measure a marker of the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months
Oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) - a test used less frequently that measures levels before and 2 hours after consuming a sweet drink (concentrated glucose solution).
Glycosylated haemoglobin is often abbreviated to A1C, and this blood test is also used in the monitoring of diabetes management.2,5

To make an initial diagnosis, an HbA1c reading must be 6.5% or higher. An A1C result between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes and a risk of type 2 diabetes.2,5,6

The HbA1c is the preferred blood test for diagnosis because - while it is more expensive than the FPG test - it has advantages, including 5

Urine tests for diabetes diagnosis:

Urine tests are no longer used to make a diagnosis of diabetes, although they were once common. Blood tests are used instead because urine tests are not sensitive or specific enough and offer only a crude indication of high blood sugar levels.2,8

A urine sample may be used, however, to test for ketones, particularly in people with type 1 diabetes who exhibit certain symptoms. Here, the test can pick up ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes








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