Risk factors for Diabetes
Your risk for diabetes is increased if you are:
- African-American, American Indian, Latino, Asian-American or Pacific Islander
- 45 years or older
- Overweight or obese
Your risk is also increased if you have:
- A parent or sibling with diabetes
- Had gestational diabetes or given birth to at least one baby weighing more than nine pounds
- Blood pressure that is 140/90 or higher, or if you’ve been told you have high blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels that are not normal: your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is 35 or lower or your triglycerides levels are 250 or higher
- An inactive lifestyle (you exercise less than three times a week)
When should I be tested for diabetes?
- Anyone 45 years old or older should consider getting tested for diabetes.
- If you are 45 or older and you are overweight it is strongly recommended that you get tested.
- If you are younger than 45, are overweight and have one or more of the above risk factors you should consider getting tested.
Types of Tests
The following tests are used to diagnose diabetes:
Random Plasma Glucose Test
A Random Plasma Glucose Test measures your blood glucose without fasting and can be done at any time during the day. A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more plus the presence of the following symptoms can mean that you have diabetes:
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger
- Sores that don’t heal
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test
A Fasting Plasma Glucose test measures your blood glucose after you have gone at least eight hours without eating. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes. Because of its convenience, the FPG test is the preferred test for diagnosing diabetes, and is most reliable when done in the morning. If your fasting glucose level is 100 to 125mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), meaning that you’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but don’t have it yet. A level of 126 mg/dL or above means that you have diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
The OGTT is more sensitive than the FPG test, but it’s less convenient to administer. The OGTT requires you to fast for at least eight hours before the test. Your plasma glucose is measured immediately before and two hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes. If your blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL two hours after drinking the liquid, you have a form of pre-diabetes called Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), meaning that you’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but don’t have it yet. A two-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above means that you have diabetes.
Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/diagnosis/diagnosis.pdf