“The body can not produce or use the hormone, or use it, if it is Diabetes. Our bloodstream has a hormone in it that regulates sugar. Our body can’t use sugar for energy without the help of the hormone, insulin.”

Untreated diabetes results in high blood sugar (blood glucose), which can damage blood vessels and nerves over time.

This can cause a variety of symptoms and serious health problems.

  • Difficult to see.
  • There is a sensation in the hands and feet.
  • increased risk for a heart attack or stroke

If you receive a timely diagnosis and treatment for diabetes, you can get back to your life.

Diabetes is a common chronic health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2018 that around 10.5 percent of Americans had diabetes, with the majority having type 2.

It can be hard to detect diabetes in its early stages because of the subtle symptoms.

If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of diabetes, you should be tested for it.

  • extreme thirst
  • I feel tired all the time.
  • Even after eating, I feel very hungry.
  • blurry vision
  • frequent urination
  • “There are cuts that won’t heal.”

“People with certain risk factors should be tested for diabetes even if they don’t have symptoms.”

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that you undergo diabetes testing if You have a body mass index greater than 25.and fall into any of the following categories:

  • You have a body mass index greater than 25.
  • you’re a high-risk race or ethnicity, including:
    • Black is a term used for African American.
    • Latino.
    • The Native American is a person.
    • Pacific Islander.
    • Asian American.
  • you have high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, or heart disease
  • You have a family history of diabetes.
  • you have a personal history of abnormal blood sugar levels or signs of insulin resistance
  • “You don’t engage in regular physical activity.”
  • you’re a woman with a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or gestational diabetes. If you’re another gender and have a history of these health conditions, you may also be at risk, and should get tested.

If you are over the age of 45, the ADA recommends you have a blood sugar test. This will help you establish a baseline.

Testing can help you identify your chances of developing diabetes, because your risk increases with age.

Race and ethnicity as “risk factors”

“Humans share 99 percent of their genes with the same race, Homo saky. Human variation is due to racial differences in our skin colors and facial features, which are the result of our ancestors’ different climates.”

Race affects our lives in a lot of ways.

Risk factors for different racial and ethnic groups are often not biological differences. Some people are more at risk for certain health conditions than others due to their food preferences and lack of healthcare access.

A doctor can determine your blood sugar levels with blood testing. There are different types of blood tests.

A1c test

Blood testing allows a doctor to determine the levels of blood sugar in the body. The A1C test is one of the most common because its results estimate blood sugar levels over time, and you don’t have to fast before the test.

The A1C test is also known as the glycated hemoglobin test. It measures how much glucose has attached itself to the hemaglobin (a protein) on your red blood cells.

The lifespan of red blood cells is measured by the A1C test. The test only requires a small amount of blood. The blood can be taken with a finger stick or a piece of your arm.

A1C results are measured in a percentage:

Test result Indicated condition
5.6% or lower Normal
5.7% to 6.4% Prediabetes
6.5% or greater Diabetes

Lab tests are standardized by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP). This means that no matter what lab performs the test, the methods to test the blood are the same.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, only tests that have been approved by the NGSP should be considered definitive enough to diagnose diabetes.

Some people have different results on the A1C test. People with diseases like hemoglobin and kidney disease are included. Your doctor may suggest alternate tests if you have diabetes.

A1C testing is used to manage diabetes. The goal for someone in treatment for diabetes is usually less than 7 percent. Your A1C goal will be determined by your health status.

Random blood sugar test

A random blood sugar test is done when you last eat.

Results of this test equal to or greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) indicate diabetes.

Fasting blood sugar test

Fasting blood sugar tests involve having your blood drawn after you fast overnight, which means not eating for up to 12 hours.

Results for fasting blood sugar are broken down like this:

Test result Indicated condition
99 mg/dL or lower Normal
100 to 125 mg/dL Prediabetes
126 mg/dL or greater Diabetes

Oral glucose tolerance test

The test takes 2 hours.

Your blood sugar is checked. You are given a drink. Your blood sugar levels are tested again after 2 hours.

Test result Indicated condition
139 mg/dL or lower Normal
140 to 199 mg/dL Prediabetes
200 mg/dL or greater Diabetes

Urine tests aren’t always used to diagnose diabetes. But doctors often use them if they think you may have type 1 diabetes.

The body produces chemicals called ketones when fat tissue is used for energy instead of glucose. Labs can test urine for these ketone bodies.

If you have ketones in your urine, this could mean that your body is not making enoughinsulin to break down the sugars in food.

Gestational diabetes can occur when you’re pregnant, and usually goes away after giving birth. The CDC explains that gestational diabetes can increase your risk of having a large baby that needs C-section delivery, or having a baby that develops type 2 diabetes later in life.

The ADA suggests that pregnant women with any risk factors for diabetes be tested at their first prenatal visit. Gestational diabetes happens in the second and third trimester.

Doctors can use two types of tests to diagnose diabetes. The tests evaluate how your body processes sugar.

Initial glucose challenge test

The initial test is structured like this.

  • You drink a solution from your doctor.
  • Your blood is drawn an hour later to measure your sugar level.

A result under 140 mg/dL is considered normal. A higher-than-usual reading indicates the need for further testing.

These are the steps to follow after testing for diabetes.

  • You must not eat or drink for the entire night.
  • Your initial blood sugar level is measured.
  • You drink a cup of solution.
  • Your blood sugar is checked hourly for 3 hours.

If the results show two or more higher than usual readings, gestational diabetes is indicated.

2-hour glucose tolerance test

The procedure is the same as the previous one. The blood sugar is measured after 2 hours.

Gestational diabetes is indicated by one out-of-range value.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be treated. It is possible to live a healthy life with diabetes. Diabetes can cause serious long-term health effects and can even be life threatening.

Getting tested for diabetes in a timely manner is important. If you have a history of the condition in your family, you should be tested. People with risk factors should be tested for diabetes at their first visit.

Diabetes is evaluated through various tests. The right test for you depends on your age, symptoms and overall health.