Diabetes Tests

Tests to see if you are diabetic.

If you are experiencing symptoms of being diabetic you should consult your doctor and discuss being tested for diabetes. Often the doctor will recommend that you test for diabetes if you are a high-rick candidate for the disease.

African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, those 60 years of age or older and people with a family history of diabetes are at a higher than average risk of having diabetes.

Physician recommended diabetes tests:

Blood Glucose Level Test – A blood sugar test

• Type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels are noticeably high
• Type 2 diabetes, blood glucose levels are not necessarily out of range, even after eating.

Glucose Tolerance Test – identifies type 2 diabetes.

• The individual consumes a large amount of sugary drink, the blood is then taken to conclude blood glucose levels at 30 minutes, an hour, and two hour intervals

Hemoglobin A1c Test - HbA1C Test

• The best way to monitor blood glucose levels over time
• Hemoglobin is a protein found in the red blood cells that carry oxygen to the different parts of the body.
• If an individual’s blood sugar is high then the sugar will attach itself to the protein in the red blood cell, hemoglobin and for the existence of the red blood cell (up to three months).

Fructosamine Test - also known as Glycosylated Albumin Test

• Indicates the quantity of sugar attached to albumin, a main serum protein.
• Results of this test reflect blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 weeks
• Useful for anyone considering undergoing change of diabetes treatment