How can you get tested for diabetes. What are the different types of diabetes tests available. When should you consider getting tested for diabetes. What do the test results mean for your health.

Understanding Diabetes and Its Types

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body processes glucose, the primary source of energy for cells. There are several types of diabetes, each with unique characteristics and implications for health:

• Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body doesn’t produce insulin
• Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form, where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough
• Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth
• Prediabetes: A condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Early detection through appropriate testing can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals at risk.

Common Diabetes Tests and Their Procedures

Several tests are available to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes. Healthcare providers may use one or more of these tests to confirm a diagnosis:

A1C Test

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. How is it performed? A small blood sample is taken and analyzed in a laboratory. What do the results mean?

• Below 5.7%: Normal
• 5.7% to 6.4%: Prediabetes
• 6.5% or higher: Diabetes

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

This test measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast. How is it conducted? Blood is drawn in the morning before you eat or drink anything except water. What are the result ranges?

• 99 mg/dL or lower: Normal
• 100 to 125 mg/dL: Prediabetes
• 126 mg/dL or higher: Diabetes

Glucose Tolerance Test

This test assesses how your body processes glucose. What does it involve? You’ll fast overnight, have your blood drawn, drink a glucose solution, and then have your blood sugar checked at intervals over 2-3 hours. How are results interpreted?

• 140 mg/dL or lower at 2 hours: Normal
• 140 to 199 mg/dL at 2 hours: Prediabetes
• 200 mg/dL or higher at 2 hours: Diabetes

Random Blood Sugar Test

This test can be done at any time, regardless of when you last ate. How is it performed? A blood sample is taken at a random time. What result indicates diabetes? A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher suggests diabetes, especially when coupled with symptoms like increased thirst or frequent urination.

Specialized Tests for Type 1 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes

In addition to the standard tests, specific procedures are used to diagnose Type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes:

Autoantibody Tests for Type 1 Diabetes

These tests look for autoantibodies that indicate the body is attacking its insulin-producing cells. Why are they important? They help distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, guiding appropriate treatment strategies.

Ketone Testing

This test checks for ketones in urine or blood. Why is it significant? The presence of ketones can indicate Type 1 diabetes, as the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose.

Glucose Screening and Tolerance Tests for Gestational Diabetes

Pregnant women typically undergo these tests between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. How do they differ from standard tests? They involve drinking a glucose solution and having blood sugar checked at specific intervals, with different cutoff points for diagnosis.

Interpreting Diabetes Test Results

Understanding your test results is crucial for managing your health. How should you interpret the numbers?

• Normal results: Indicate healthy blood sugar levels
• Prediabetes results: Suggest an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
• Diabetes results: Confirm a diabetes diagnosis and necessitate further action

It’s important to discuss your results with a healthcare provider who can provide context and explain what they mean for your individual health situation.

Risk Factors and When to Get Tested

Certain factors increase your risk of developing diabetes. Who should consider getting tested?

• Adults over 45 years old
• Individuals who are overweight or obese
• Those with a family history of diabetes
• People with high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Women who have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds
• Individuals of certain ethnicities, including African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American

If you fall into any of these categories, it’s advisable to discuss diabetes testing with your healthcare provider. How often should you get tested? The frequency depends on your individual risk factors and previous test results.

Prevention Strategies for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

If your test results indicate prediabetes, you can take steps to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. What are some effective prevention strategies?

• Participate in a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program
• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if overweight
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
• Manage stress effectively
• Quit smoking if you currently smoke

By implementing these lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. How effective are these measures? Studies have shown that participating in a structured lifestyle change program can lower your risk by as much as 58% (71% if you’re over age 60).

Treatment Options and Management Strategies for Diabetes

If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, your healthcare provider will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. What might this plan include?

• Blood sugar monitoring
• Medication or insulin therapy
• Lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise
• Regular check-ups and screenings for diabetes-related complications
• Diabetes self-management education and support

The specific components of your treatment plan will depend on the type of diabetes you have and your individual health needs. How can you effectively manage diabetes? Adhering to your treatment plan, maintaining regular communication with your healthcare team, and staying informed about diabetes management are key strategies for success.

The Importance of Regular Screening and Ongoing Monitoring

Regular screening and ongoing monitoring are crucial aspects of diabetes management and prevention. Why is continuous monitoring important?

• It helps detect diabetes or prediabetes early
• It allows for timely interventions and adjustments to treatment plans
• It helps prevent or delay diabetes-related complications
• It provides valuable data for assessing the effectiveness of current management strategies

How often should you undergo screening or monitoring? The frequency depends on various factors, including your age, risk factors, and current health status. Your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate schedule based on your individual needs.

For those already diagnosed with diabetes, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is essential. What tools are available for this? Home blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitoring systems, and regular A1C tests are common methods for tracking blood sugar levels over time.

Remember, diabetes management is an ongoing process that requires active participation and collaboration with your healthcare team. By staying vigilant and proactive about your health, you can effectively manage diabetes and maintain a high quality of life.

Accessing Diabetes Testing and Care

Knowing where to get tested for diabetes is crucial for early detection and management. Where can you access diabetes testing services?

• Primary care physician’s office
• Endocrinologist’s clinic
• Community health centers
• Pharmacies offering health screening services
• Mobile health clinics
• Hospitals and medical centers

Many pharmacies, such as Walgreens, offer diabetes screening and counseling services. These convenient locations can provide quick and accessible testing options. However, it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.

How can you prepare for a diabetes test? If you’re scheduled for a fasting blood sugar test or glucose tolerance test, you’ll need to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. For other tests, like the A1C, no special preparation is typically required.

What should you consider when choosing where to get tested? Factors to consider include:

• Accessibility and convenience
• Cost and insurance coverage
• Availability of follow-up care and support services
• Qualifications and expertise of the healthcare providers

Remember, while pharmacies and other quick-service locations can provide valuable screening services, it’s essential to establish a relationship with a primary care provider or endocrinologist for ongoing diabetes management and care.

The Role of Technology in Diabetes Testing and Management

Advancements in technology have revolutionized diabetes testing and management. How has technology impacted diabetes care?

• Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems provide real-time blood sugar data
• Smart insulin pens and pumps offer precise dosing and tracking
• Mobile apps help with tracking diet, exercise, and medication
• Telemedicine allows for remote consultations with healthcare providers
• Artificial Intelligence is being used to predict blood sugar trends and offer personalized management strategies

These technological advancements have made diabetes management more convenient and precise. How do they benefit patients? They provide more comprehensive data, allow for timely interventions, and empower individuals to take a more active role in their diabetes care.

What are some popular diabetes management apps? Apps like MySugr, Glucose Buddy, and OneTouch Reveal help users track their blood sugar, medication, diet, and exercise. Many of these apps can sync with glucose meters and other devices for seamless data integration.

While technology offers many benefits, it’s important to remember that it should complement, not replace, regular medical care and personal health management efforts. How can you effectively incorporate technology into your diabetes care? Work closely with your healthcare provider to determine which technological tools are most appropriate for your individual needs and how to best integrate them into your overall management plan.

The Economic and Social Impact of Diabetes

Diabetes has significant economic and social implications, both for individuals and society as a whole. What are some of the economic impacts of diabetes?

• High healthcare costs for treatment and management
• Lost productivity due to diabetes-related health issues
• Financial burden on individuals and families for ongoing care and supplies
• Increased healthcare expenditure for governments and insurance providers

How does diabetes affect society? The social impacts of diabetes include:

• Reduced quality of life for individuals with diabetes and their families
• Increased demand on healthcare systems and resources
• Potential for discrimination in employment and insurance
• Need for workplace accommodations and policy changes

These economic and social factors underscore the importance of diabetes prevention, early detection, and effective management. How can society address these challenges? Strategies may include:

• Implementing public health initiatives focused on diabetes prevention
• Improving access to affordable diabetes care and supplies
• Enhancing diabetes education and support services
• Developing policies to protect the rights of individuals with diabetes
• Investing in research for better treatments and potential cures

By addressing the broader impacts of diabetes, we can work towards creating a more supportive environment for those affected by the condition and reducing its overall burden on society.

Diabetes Tests | CDC

You’ll need to get your blood sugar tested to find out for sure if you have prediabetes or type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. Testing is simple, and results are usually available quickly.

Tests for Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Prediabetes

Your doctor will have you take one or more of the following blood tests to confirm the diagnosis:

A1C Test

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 or 3 months. An A1C below 5.7% is normal, between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates you have prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

This measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating). A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Glucose Tolerance Test

This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You’ll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward. At 2 hours, a blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or lower is considered normal, 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Random Blood Sugar Test

This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You can take this test at any time and don’t need to fast (not eat) first. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

Random Blood Sugar Test

Result*	A1C Test	Fasting Blood Sugar Test	Glucose Tolerance Test	Random Blood Sugar Test
Diabetes	6.5% or above	126 mg/dL or above	200 mg/dL or above	200 mg/dL or above
Prediabetes	5. 7 – 6.4%	100 – 125 mg/dL	140 – 199 mg/dL	N/A
Normal	Below 5.7%	99 mg/dL or below	140 mg/dL or below	N/A

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes.
Source: American Diabetes Association

If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, your blood may also tested for autoantibodies (substances that indicate your body is attacking itself) that are often present in type 1 diabetes but not in type 2 diabetes. You may have your urine tested for ketones (produced when your body burns fat for energy), which also indicate type 1 diabetes instead of type 2 diabetes.

Tests for Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using blood tests. You’ll probably be tested between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If your risk is higher for getting gestational diabetes (due to having more risk factors), your doctor may test you earlier. Blood sugar that’s higher than normal early in your pregnancy may indicate you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes rather than gestational diabetes.

Glucose Screening Test

This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You’ll drink a liquid that contains glucose, and then 1 hour later your blood will be drawn to check your blood sugar level. A normal result is 140 mg/dL or lower. If your level is higher than 140 mg/dL, you’ll need to take a glucose tolerance test.

Glucose Tolerance Test

This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You’ll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward. Results can differ depending on the size of the glucose drink and how often your blood sugar is tested. Ask your doctor what your test results mean.

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

If your test results show you have prediabetes, ask your doctor or nurse if there is a lifestyle change program offered through the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program in your community. You can also search for an online or in-person program. Having prediabetes puts you at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but participating in the program can lower your risk by as much as 58% (71% if you’re over age 60).

Diabetes Treatment Plan

If your test results show you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, talk with your doctor or nurse about a detailed treatment plan—including diabetes self-management education and support services—and specific steps you can take to be your healthiest.

Diabetes Screening & Counseling | Walgreens

What is diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. It is a health condition that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. The glucose level in the blood rises after eating a meal and causes the pancreas to make the hormone insulin and release it into the blood stream. For patients with diabetes, the body either can’t make or respond to insulin properly, causing glucose to build up in the blood instead of going into cells as it should. As a result, blood sugar levels in the blood are higher than normal and can lead to damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

While the exact cause of diabetes is not known, obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the most common risk factors for the disease. People with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms for many years. Early symptoms of diabetes may include blurred vision, erectile dysfunction, pain or numbness in the feet or hands, infections that are more frequent or heal slowly, fatigue, hunger, increased thirst and urination. Blood tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

What is diabetes screening & counseling?

Diabetes screening & counseling is a service designed to measure a patient’s risk for diabetes. For most accurate results, it is recommended that you fast for 9-12 hours before testing. During this visit, a healthcare provider will record the patient’s age, height, weight and waist circumference, as well as medical, family, and social history information. After this, a blood test may be performed by obtaining a small blood sample from the patient’s finger to measure blood sugar levels.

Based on the results of these screenings, a healthcare provider will counsel the patient on their risk factors and recommend lifestyle changes to help the patient lead a healthier life. Further testing and evaluation may be required.

Who is diabetes screening & counseling recommended for?

This service is recommended for patients who may be at risk for diabetes and who are interested in better understanding their health so they can take steps to lead a healthier life. Patients receiving this service are encouraged to share their results with their primary care provider.

Alert

If you believe you have a medical emergency, please call 911.

How to Get a Free Type 2 Diabetes Screening

Free screenings for diabetes are sometimes available at pharmacies, and even in big-box stores, like Walmart. You may also be able to get a free blood sugar test at your local hospital. But before you go, it’s important to understand the limitations of this blood sugar test.

“In most cases, the diabetic test given at a free screening is a point-of-care blood sugar test,” says Shannon Knapp, RN, CDE, manager of diabetes education in the department of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. These tests measure blood sugar with a finger prick and a glucose monitor. “Free screenings for diabetes are beneficial but have a lower accuracy rate than lab tests done in a doctor’s office,” Knapp notes. “They may be given at health fairs, community centers, or local pharmacies, but they are not a substitute for your primary care doctor.”

There are reasons that free screenings for diabetes may be an early indicator of the disease but still don’t provide a complete picture on their own. “To diagnose diabetes, you generally need two elevated fasting blood sugars,” explains Knapp. “It’s important to know that if you have free screening for diabetes without fasting, the results are not very useful. Any abnormal diabetic test needs to be followed up with your doctor.”

Why Get a Free Diabetes Screening?

The purpose of this type of screening is to serve as an early alert, hopefully cutting down on the damage done by type 2 diabetes by uncovering it and addressing it early, before you have any complications of high blood sugar. Also, “These screenings have the potential to catch other types of diabetes,” adds Knapp. Since more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and another 86 million are at risk for the disease, early diagnosis is more important than ever.

Here are more reasons for getting a screening:

• You can find out whether you might have a type of diabetes called prediabetes, which almost always starts before full-blown type 2 diabetes.
• Early diagnosis enables you to start self-care with healthy lifestyle changes, like increasing exercise and losing weight.
• For some people with prediabetes, early treatment can actually return blood glucose levels to the normal range.

Who Should Get Screened for Diabetes?

Anyone can benefit from a free screening, but there are recommendations for who is most likely to benefit. “Anyone age 45 or older should begin testing,” says Knapp. In addition, adults who are overweight or obese and have one additional risk factor for diabetes — including physical inactivity or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — should be tested. And if you do have risk factors for diabetes, you should consider getting tested at an earlier age.

Screening guidelines include the following:

• People age 45 or older should be screened by their doctor every three years.
• Risk factors that should be considered for screening include being overweight, having high blood pressure, having abnormal blood lipids (low levels of HDL or a high level of triglycerides), having a close relative with diabetes, and being a woman who had diabetes during pregnancy.
• Anyone with sustained blood pressure greater than 140/90 should be screened. Those on medication for high blood pressure, even if their blood pressure is lower than the guideline, should also be screened.

Still unsure whether you’re in a risk category? Take a type 2 diabetes risk test at the American Diabetes Association’s website.

Where to Find Free Screening for Diabetes

If you’re on Medicare, you can get a free screening at your local hospital or at your doctor’s office if you have any of these risk factors:

Free screenings for diabetes are often available at hospitals or medical centers. Other options include pharmacies and shopping centers. Here are some screening resources to check out; offerings vary from location to location and state to state, so check online or call before going in for a diabetes screening:

Remember that a free screening for diabetes is no substitute for a fasting blood sugar test at your doctor’s office. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes screening at health fairs and shopping malls often fails to be beneficial because people don’t follow up with an office visit. “Talk to your primary care doctor about your risk factors and find out what the best screening program is for you,” Knapp advises.

Who Should Be Tested for Diabetes, and How is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Diabetes is diagnosed using one of four simple blood tests in a doctor’s office or health clinic. The tests measure your blood-glucose level, which means the amount of sugar in your blood. Many people with diabetes do not have symptoms so it is important to get tested if you have risk factors for the disease.

Who Should Be Tested For Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association recommends blood tests for diabetes in any person with symptoms of the disease. In people without symptoms, testing should begin at age 45 and every three years thereafter or earlier in adults who are overweight or obese—meaning a body mass index (a measure of body fat) ≥25 kg/m²—and have any of the following other risk factors:

• Parent or sibling with diabetes
• Physical inactivity
• African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
• Women who had gestational diabetes or who gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level ≤35 mg/dL
• Triglyceride level ≥250 mg/dL
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose (also known a pre-diabetes) on previous blood-glucose  testing
• History of heart disease

In children and adolescents, testing for type 2 diabetes should be considered for those who have diabetes symptoms or who are overweight and have two of the following risk factors:

• Family history of type 2 diabetes in a first- or second-degree relative
• Native American, African American, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander
• Signs of prediabetes such as acathosis nigricans (skin pigment condition), hypertension, dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol and/or triglycerides), polycystic ovarian syndrome, or small-for-gestational-age birth weight
• Mother with a history of diabetes or gestational diabetes

Testing in children should begin at age 10 or when the child enters puberty and should be repeated every 3 years.

BMI and Racial/Ethnic Groups
Some studies suggest that testing should be considered in people with a lower body mass index (BMI) who are of certain racial/ethnic groups, such as people of South Asian, Chinese, and African American descent. Talk to your doctor to see if you should be tested for diabetes.  

Tests Used to Diagnose Diabetes
The Table shows the types of blood tests used to diagnose diabetes and how they are performed. Typically, diabetes is diagnosed if test results are positive when tested on two separate days.

Table. Tests Used to Diagnose Diabetes

Updated on: 01/04/17

The Diabetes Center

Diabetes Tests & Diagnosis | NIDDK

In this section:

Your health care professional can diagnose diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes through blood tests. The blood tests show if your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

Do not try to diagnose yourself if you think you might have diabetes. Testing equipment that you can buy over the counter, such as a blood glucose meter, cannot diagnose diabetes.

Who should be tested for diabetes?

Anyone who has symptoms of diabetes should be tested for the disease. Some people will not have any symptoms but may have risk factors for diabetes and need to be tested. Testing allows health care professionals to find diabetes sooner and work with their patients to manage diabetes and prevent complications.

Testing also allows health care professionals to find prediabetes. Making lifestyle changes to lose a modest amount of weight if you are overweight may help you delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

Blood tests help health care professionals diagnose diabetes and prediabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Most often, testing for type 1 diabetes occurs in people with diabetes symptoms. Doctors usually diagnose type 1 diabetes in children and young adults. Because type 1 diabetes can run in families, a study called TrialNet offers free testing to family members of people with the disease, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Type 2 diabetes

Experts recommend routine testing for type 2 diabetes if you

• are age 45 or older
• are between the ages of 19 and 44, are overweight or obese, and have one or more other diabetes risk factors
• are a woman who had gestational diabetes¹

Medicare covers the cost of diabetes tests for people with certain risk factors for diabetes. If you have Medicare, find out if you qualify for coverage. If you have different insurance, ask your insurance company if it covers diabetes tests.

Though type 2 diabetes most often develops in adults, children also can develop type 2 diabetes. Experts recommend testing children between the ages of 10 and 18 who are overweight or obese and have at least two other risk factors for developing diabetes. ¹

Gestational diabetes

All pregnant women who do not have a prior diabetes diagnosis should be tested for gestational diabetes. If you are pregnant, you will take a glucose challenge test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.¹

What tests are used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes?

Health care professionals most often use the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or the A1C test to diagnose diabetes. In some cases, they may use a random plasma glucose (RPG) test.

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test

The FPG blood test measures your blood glucose level at a single point in time. For the most reliable results, it is best to have this test in the morning, after you fast for at least 8 hours. Fasting means having nothing to eat or drink except sips of water.

A1C test

The A1C test is a blood test that provides your average levels of blood glucose over the past 3 months. Other names for the A1C test are hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C, glycated hemoglobin, and glycosylated hemoglobin test. You can eat and drink before this test. When it comes to using the A1C to diagnose diabetes, your doctor will consider factors such as your age and whether you have anemia or another problem with your blood.¹ The A1C test is not accurate in people with anemia.

If you’re of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent, your A1C test results may be falsely high or low. Your health care professional may need to order a different type of A1C test.

Your health care professional will report your A1C test result as a percentage, such as an A1C of 7 percent. The higher the percentage, the higher your average blood glucose levels.

People with diabetes also use information from the A1C test to help manage their diabetes.

Random plasma glucose (RPG) test

Sometimes health care professionals use the RPG test to diagnose diabetes when diabetes symptoms are present and they do not want to wait until you have fasted. You do not need to fast overnight for the RPG test. You may have this blood test at any time.

What tests are used to diagnose gestational diabetes?

Pregnant women may have the glucose challenge test, the oral glucose tolerance test, or both. These tests show how well your body handles glucose.

Glucose challenge test

If you are pregnant and a health care professional is checking you for gestational diabetes, you may first receive the glucose challenge test. Another name for this test is the glucose screening test. In this test, a health care professional will draw your blood 1 hour after you drink a sweet liquid containing glucose. You do not need to fast for this test. If your blood glucose is too high—135 to 140 or more—you may need to return for an oral glucose tolerance test while fasting.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

The OGTT measures blood glucose after you fast for at least 8 hours. First, a health care professional will draw your blood. Then you will drink the liquid containing glucose. For diagnosing gestational diabetes, you will need your blood drawn every hour for 2 to 3 hours.

High blood glucose levels at any two or more blood test times during the OGTT—fasting, 1 hour, 2 hours, or 3 hours—mean you have gestational diabetes. Your health care team will explain what your OGTT results mean.

Health care professionals also can use the OGTT to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in people who are not pregnant. The OGTT helps health care professionals detect type 2 diabetes and prediabetes better than the FPG test. However, the OGTT is a more expensive test and is not as easy to give. To diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, a health care professional will need to draw your blood 1 hour after you drink the liquid containing glucose and again after 2 hours.

What test numbers tell me if I have diabetes or prediabetes?

Each test to detect diabetes and prediabetes uses a different measurement. Usually, the same test method needs to be repeated on a second day to diagnose diabetes. Your doctor may also use a second test method to confirm that you have diabetes.

The following table helps you understand what your test numbers mean if you are not pregnant.

^aGlucose values are in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL.

^bAt 2 hours after drinking 75 grams of glucose. To diagnose gestational diabetes, health care professionals give more glucose to drink and use different numbers as cutoffs.

Source: Adapted from American Diabetes Association. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(1):S14–S20, tables 2.1, 2.3.

Which tests help my health care professional know what kind of diabetes I have?

Even though the tests described here can confirm that you have diabetes, they can’t identify what type you have. Sometimes health care professionals are unsure if diabetes is type 1 or type 2. A rare type of diabetes that can occur in babies, called monogenic diabetes, can also be mistaken for type 1 diabetes. Treatment depends on the type of diabetes, so knowing which type you have is important.

To find out if your diabetes is type 1, your health care professional may look for certain autoantibodies. Autoantibodies are antibodies that mistakenly attack your healthy tissues and cells. The presence of one or more of several types of autoantibodies specific to diabetes is common in type 1 diabetes, but not in type 2 or monogenic diabetes. A health care professional will have to draw your blood for this test.

If you had diabetes while you were pregnant, you should get tested no later than 12 weeks after your baby is born to see if you have type 2 diabetes.

References

¹American Diabetes Association. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(Suppl. 1):S13–S22.

Diabetes Blood Tests | Walk-In Lab

Thank you for shopping our Diabetes Tests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimate that almost 26 million people in the U.S have diabetes. Walk-In Lab offers cheap, online diabetes blood tests that determine your risk for the disease quickly, and easily. Lab work such as the fasting plasma glucose tests or the casual plasma glucose tests are available to help determine blood sugar levels, risk for diabetes and the need to treat this condition. Symptoms of severe thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, and or tingling of your hands are feet are all signs of diabetes. However, the disease may present no warning signs and the best way to test for this condition is to order a diabetes blood test.

Nearly one third of those afflicted with diabetes have no idea that they have the disease in the first place. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US, with more than a quarter of a million deaths attributed to the disease each year.

At Walk-In Lab, we offer blood tests for diabetes that can help shed light on the indicators of this often-controllable disease and answer the question, “Do I have diabetes?” Choose from a simple C-Peptide Serum test that can help gauge the effectiveness of the Pancreas at secreting insulin. Or, select an essential blood and urine test for diabetes that includes a complete blood count (CBC), a complete metabolic panel (CMP), and other vital tests. These comprehensive health screens can often uncover other, non-related issues that can help you achieve greater clarity regarding your health.

Choose One Lab: LABCORP (LC) or QUEST (QD) or ALL

Walk-In Lab is contracted with LabCorp (LC) and Quest Diagnostics (QD) for routine lab testing. Please choose LC or QD to complete your order. If you prefer to receive a kit by mail for specimen collection, please see our Home Test Kits. LC and QD tests must be ordered separately.

LabCorp: Online lab testing is prohibited in MA, MD, NY, NJ and RI.

Quest Diagnostics: Online lab testing is prohibited in NY, NJ and RI.

Testing for Diabetes | Mount Sinai

Whether you suspect you have diabetes, are newly diagnosed, or have been managing your diabetes for years, it is essential to know your blood sugar numbers. There are new tests and new equipment on the market to help you keep track. As a  specialized provider of diabetes care, Mount Sinai Health System can help you navigate this ever-changing world so you can manage your disease without it managing you.

Types of Tests

We can tell if you have diabetes by measuring your blood sugar levels. We use several tests:

Fasting blood glucose is the  most reliable test. We usually perform this test  in the morning before you have eaten anything or after an eight-hour fast. Blood glucose is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). To confirm a diagnosis, we perform the test twice. Possible scores are:

• Normal = 99 mg/dL and below
• Prediabetes = 100 to 125 mg/dL
• Diabetes = 126 mg/dL and above

Oral glucose tolerance test  can help us identify  diabetes,  prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. You must fast for at least eight hours before taking the test. We measure your blood glucose level immediately before and two hours after you  drink a liquid that contains a small amount of glucose.

• Normal = 139 mg/dL and below
• Prediabetes = 140 to 199 mg/dL
• Diabetes = 200 mg/dL and above

For a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, values are above normal at two or more of the times: 95 mg/dl or higher after fasting; 180 mg/dl or higher at one hour; 155 mg/dl or higher at two hours; or 140 mg/dl or higher at three hours.

Random plasma glucose test enables us to test your blood glucose at any time of the day without requiring you to fast. You likely have diabetes if your glucose level is 200 mg/dL or more and you have any of the following symptoms:

• Increased urination
• Increased thirst
• Unexplained feelings of hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry eyesight
• Frequent vaginal yeast infections
• Sores that do not heal

To confirm a diagnosis of diabetes, we will retest your blood sugar levels with the fasting blood glucose test or the oral glucose tolerance test.

Testing Equipment

There are many types of blood glucose meters available. Each model uses a specific type of strip, so be certain you purchase strips that are made specifically for your meter.

Glucose meters are constantly changing and upgrading. Many people with diabetes get a new meter about once a year to have the latest technology. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help determine which meter is best for you. Once you select a glucose meter, you should read the instructions carefully and follow them closely.

Choosing a Meter

There are many factors to consider when choosing a meter that is right for you:

• Accuracy
• Ease of use (this is especially important for small children, elderly people, or those with physical or mental limitations)
• Cost of test strips
• Cost and availability of batteries
• Size and portability
• Speed of registering  a reading
• Readability (meters are available for the visually impaired or color blind)
• Whether a doctor can check the meter’s memory
• Whether the meter’s memory can be downloaded onto a computer
• Insurance plan coverage
• Whether the manufacturer has a 24-hour toll-free phone number to call with questions or problems

Checking Glucose Levels

Elevated  blood glucose (sugar) levels  increase the risk of complications from diabetes, so you should  check your glucose levels regularly. How often you  need to check your glucose levels depends on your type of diabetes and individual circumstances, so talk to your doctor or diabetes educator to work out a testing schedule that is right for you.

You may want to test your glucose levels more often than required by your schedule if you:

• Change your eating habits or stray from your meal plan and are unsure of how the changes will effect your glucose levels
• Are about to exercise and want to know if you should eat something to bring your glucose levels up or need to exercise more to bring your glucose levels down
• Are sick
• Are taking a medication that may affect glucose levels or your ability to recognize the warning signs of low glucose (hypoglycemia)
• Change your diet, exercise routine, or insulin plan
• Lose or gain weight
• Have glucose levels outside your recommended range
• Have had unstable  glucose levels and are about to drive a car, to be certain you are not at risk for hypoglycemia. Losing consciousness while driving could put your life and the lives of others at risk.

90,000 Glucose tolerance test during pregnancy

At the 6th month of pregnancy, a test is performed to detect latent diabetes. It is determined in 3-6% of pregnant women. It is believed that this type of diabetes only occurs in pregnant women and is triggered by pregnancy hormones. This means that if a woman is diagnosed with diabetes, it will disappear immediately after childbirth, and the expectant mother will not suffer from it all her life, because it lasts only for the last 5 months of pregnancy. However, this allows for the identification of a predisposition to diabetes, and it will be necessary to control the level of glycemia over the next years.

It is very important to detect diabetes in order to prevent such undesirable consequences as the birth of a large fetus, the threat of prenatal complications.

The test that is done for this is called the O’Sullivan Test (glucose tolerance test) and is performed at the 6th month of pregnancy.

How the test is done

The “O’Sullivan test” is as follows: the patient drinks 50 grams. glucose, an hour after that, a blood sample is taken for analysis.It is performed at any time of the day on an empty stomach.

Test Results

If the test results are outside the normal range, i.e. the level of glycemia is higher than 1.35 g / l, then diabetes is possible. To establish an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to perform another test to confirm hyperglycemia. First, they take blood on an empty stomach, then offer to drink 100 grams. glucose. After its absorption (one hour later), a second blood sample is taken. The third and fourth fences are carried out at one hour intervals.This test takes three hours in total.

If at least two out of four indicators are overestimated, then there is diabetes. In this case, you must follow a special diet and independently check the glycemic level using a glucometer several times a day.

As part of the School of Mothers, our doctors tell in detail about what other tests are desirable to take during pregnancy, and why it is needed.

Diagnosis of diabetes | Medtronic Diabetes Russia

If you have read the information about the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and are worried that you or someone close to you have one of the forms of diabetes, you are probably wondering how to diagnose diabetes.Like many diseases, diabetes can be diagnosed using several methods, which will differ depending on the type of disease that the doctor is testing for.

The doctor can easily recognize the classic symptoms of diabetes and prescribe appropriate blood, urine and insulin tests. These tests are very simple, practically painless and in most cases will allow a complete examination and diagnosis in a very short period of time.

Diabetes diagnosis includes the following most common methods:

Blood and urine tests

In most cases, the first stage of diabetes diagnosis includes blood and urine tests.Your doctor will order these tests to see if your samples contain traces of glucose (blood sugar). Since in the absence of diabetes, the blood sugar level does not exceed the permissible range, a deviation from the norm may indicate that glucose is not processed by the body and enters the urine. If the test is positive, you may be scheduled for HbA1C tests (see below).

Urine samples can also be tested for the presence of ketone bodies, chemicals that indicate type 1 diabetes.

Assay for HbA1C (glycosylated hemoglobin)

HbA1C is a term often used in the context of diabetes. The HbA1C page provides detailed information on glycosylated hemoglobin. In short, we are talking about a situation when hemoglobin – a molecule contained in red blood cells – combines with glucose in the blood and becomes glycosylated. The life span of such red blood cells is up to 12 weeks, after which new red blood cells appear in the blood.The long lifespan of red blood cells allows doctors to use HbA1C to determine how high your average blood sugar has been over the past 12 weeks.

The table below will help you determine if you have diabetes – note that a normal HbA1C level in the absence of diabetes is <5.5% / 36 mmol / L (648 mg / dL).

The advantage of the HbA1C assay is that it can be scheduled at any time and does not require preparation.This is where this diabetes test differs from the others below. However, it has been found that if the patient is ill shortly before the test, the result may not be entirely accurate. Therefore, a series of analyzes is carried out to fully understand what is happening in the body.

If you are tested positive for diabetes, your doctor may recommend testing for zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8Ab). The result of this specialized analysis, combined with previous information, will indicate the presence or absence of type 1 diabetes.

Test for glucose tolerance

The glucose tolerance test, or glucose tolerance test (GTT), often called the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), is another way to diagnose diabetes or insulin resistance. This test is commonly used to detect gestational diabetes and is most often prescribed for women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Although it is a reliable indicator of gestational diabetes, it is also used to detect other types of the disease, including types 1 and 2.

Unlike the HbA1C test, fasting (no food or liquids) is required for about 10 hours prior to this test. After preparation, a blood sample is taken for the first test to determine the initial blood sugar level. The next step is to observe how the body processes sugar after consuming a bagged drink containing glucose. Follow-up blood tests are done every 30 minutes for 2 hours, although the duration may be different if your doctor chooses.

As in the case of the HbA1C test, the diagnosis is carried out in accordance with the results obtained.

In addition, the test can help detect impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), in which blood glucose levels are higher than without diabetes, but not high enough to make a diagnosis of diabetes. This is usually a sign of prediabetes and should be treated as a warning sign that requires changes in lifestyle, diet and exercise regimen.

• 6-7 mmol / L (108-126 mg / dL) before drinking glucose drink
• In the range of 7.9-11 mmol / L (142-198 mg / dL) two hours after the test

90,000 Every fifth patient with diabetes does not suspect that he is sick – Rossiyskaya Gazeta

Whatever we go to the doctor, the first test he prescribes is blood biochemistry, including glucose levels.The same analysis is one of the main ones in clinical examination. And it is imperative to do it regularly: so as not to miss the onset of diabetes.

Blood sugar “jumps” and unmistakably indicates a disease when a person still has no symptoms and does not even suspect that he has fallen into the tenacious paws of diabetes. Until June 10, the social project “Diabetes. Find out in time” continues in 230 cities of Russia – on the early diagnosis of this insidious disease. Anyone can take a free blood test within the framework of this promotion, for this you do not need to go to the doctor and take a referral.The project is carried out by a network of independent laboratories Invitro in 230 Russian cities. Everyone who wants to check their health is welcome here, with the exception of those who have already been diagnosed with diabetes.

According to the WHO, the number of people with diabetes is growing rapidly worldwide. Doctors talk about a kind of “epidemic”. The disease, of course, is not contagious, but due to malnutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, more and more citizens are falling ill with diabetes, and at an ever younger age.

At an early stage, people do not feel sick. Moreover, for quite a long time a person can be in the stage of “prediabetes”, when unfavorable changes in the body can be neutralized without serious medical intervention, but only by adjusting the diet, physical activity, and lifestyle. But neglected diabetes is terrible – it leads to total damage to many internal organs, blindness, necrosis of the tissues of the legs, which often ends in amputation.

It is not difficult today to find out whether a person is sick, including at an early stage.To do this, you need to carry out tests – first of all, to determine the level of glucose in the blood. This is exactly what the current action is aimed at: the majority of Russians, such is our mentality, do not like to go to doctors until they get sick. For the action, you can pass the required analysis “just in case” literally on the run – for example, in the morning on the way to work. You just need to postpone breakfast, because blood for glucose is given strictly on an empty stomach.

This is the third time this campaign has been held. In the first two stages, the blood glucose level was measured at 400 thousand.human. Moreover, every fourth participant came to the laboratory to conduct such a study for the first time in his life. At the same time, 15% of the surveyed had increased glycemia (fasting blood glucose).

If the test results are outside the normal range, you need to undergo a deeper study for glycated hemoglobin. It reflects the average blood glucose level over a long period (up to three months), and helps the attending endocrinologist to conclude whether the glycemia was one-time or systematic.As a result, it is possible to timely identify the early stage of the disease, the so-called prediabetes, to adjust the lifestyle and nutrition. And if necessary, start treatment with drugs that lower blood glucose levels.

Competent

Consultant doctor, endocrinologist Nona Hovsepyan answered RG’s questions.

Is it always necessary to have a fasting glucose test?

Nona Hovsepyan: A blood glucose test is always taken after an 8-12 hour fast, since after each meal the blood glucose level rises.To obtain an objective result and in order to avoid obtaining uninformative analysis, this study is carried out on an empty stomach. After a meal, the glucose level changes in all people in different ways, based on the individual characteristics of the body, it also depends on what exactly and how much a person ate. Therefore, there are no clear reference values ​​for postprandial glucose levels.

Suppose a person has high sugar levels, what should the patient do next (except for the banal “see a doctor as soon as possible”)? Do I need to retake the analysis?

Hovsepyan: It all depends on the level of increased glucose.If it is insignificant (no more than 6-6.5 mmol / l), then you can not “run” to the doctor, but retake the analysis in a few days, having previously excluded the intake of carbohydrates at least 12 hours before the study. An increase in glucose levels to 7-8 mmol / l is a sign of the possible development of diabetes mellitus, and in this case, you should definitely consult an endocrinologist.

Why else, besides diabetes, the analysis can be unimportant?

Hovsepyan: When taking tests in compliance with all preanalytical rules (including the cancellation of medications), an increase in glucose level can only be in the presence of diabetes mellitus. If the preparation rules have been violated, food intake and certain medications can cause an increase in glucose levels even in the absence of diabetes mellitus.

What other studies are needed to clarify the diagnosis?

Hovsepyan: At borderline glucose levels, it is recommended to take a blood test for glycated hemoglobin and, in some cases, a glucose tolerance test (to be submitted in the direction of an endocrinologist). A blood test for glycated hemoglobin does not require a doctor’s prescription and allows you to determine the presence of latent diabetes and prediabetes.

How often should non-diabetics control their sugar?

Hovsepyan: For healthy people in the absence of a hereditary predisposition to diabetes mellitus (if close relatives do not have this disease), it is enough to take a blood glucose test 1-2 times a year.

90 000 Diabetes patients do not have enough test strips – Society – Kommersant

The provision of Russian patients with diabetes with test strips for measuring blood sugar levels remains extremely low: no Russian region provides patients with them in full, and in a number of regions patients are not provided with self-monitoring tools at all. This is stated in the study of experts of the Council under the Government of the Russian Federation on the issues of guardianship in the social sphere. The report is planned to be presented at the Friday meeting of the council. In this regard, it is noted the need to fix in the standards of medical care the exact number of test strips that must be given to patients per day. Council members remind that deaths from coronavirus are higher in people with diabetes.

A study on the provision of diabetic patients with test strips to control their blood sugar level will be presented on Friday at a meeting of the Council on Guardianship in the Social Sphere under the Government of the Russian Federation (headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova).According to the calculations of Roszdravnadzor, the provision of test strips on average in the Russian Federation in 2019 was significantly lower than the standards established in the clinical guidelines of the Ministry of Health.

“Even the current standards for the number of measurements are not being met,” states the document (available to Kommersant). “The share of provision with test strips on average in the Russian Federation is at an extremely low level.”

For example, for adults with type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes), the recommended frequency of blood glucose measurements is four times a day.However, taking into account the purchased test strips, the national average for one such patient was 0.61 measurements per day. In total, there were 220,521 adult patients with type 1 diabetes in Russia.

The number of adult patients with the most common type of diabetes, the second in which insulin can be replaced by other medications, in Russia is almost 4.4 million people. Approximately 20% of this number receive insulin therapy, and they are also advised to check their sugar levels four times a day.However, taking into account the self-monitoring devices issued last year, there were 0.13 measurements per day per one such patient. The indicator for children with type 1 diabetes was higher, but it was less than half of the recommended frequency: 2. 8 with the recommendation to determine the blood sugar level six to ten times a day.

The head of the section of the Council “Medicine and Pharmaceuticals” Pyotr Rodionov, in a conversation with Kommersant, noted that, according to international data, 20% of all patients with coronavirus infection who are admitted to intensive care units are patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Mortality in people with diabetes with COVID-19 is higher than in patients without this disease.

But here it is important to note that the risk of death increases precisely in those patients who have increased glycated hemoglobin (an indicator showing the average blood sugar level over the past three months – “b” ) “.

Mr. Rodionov noted that “if a person does not control his disease, does not have such practice and access to test strips, then the risk of death increases significantly”: if the glycated hemoglobin is more than 9%, the risk of death increases tenfold. “

As a reminder, people with disabilities are provided with federal benefits. The rest of the region’s residents must be provided with test strips under a regional benefit (government decree of July 30, 1994, # 890). According to the study, 29% of adult patients with type 1 diabetes, 8% with type 2 diabetes, and 75% of all children and adolescents were provided with test strips under the federal benefit (according to Federal Law 178). The regional exemption provided test strips to 51% of adults with type 1 diabetes, 25% with type 2 diabetes, and 49% of all children and adolescents.At the same time, the study noted that these people do not receive the necessary means of self-control in full, “the rest do not receive anything.”

“In no region are standards for the number of measurements provided,” the document says. So, test strips for six to ten measurements per day are not provided to children by any region of Russia, 15% of Russian regions provide four to five strips per day, 59% – three to four, 20% – one or two strips. Adults with type 1 diabetes are also not provided with four strips per day in any of the Russian regions, one or more are received in 16% of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

Adults with type 2 diabetes receive less than one strip in 96% of regions.

Among the regions that are outsiders in providing children with test strips per day per patient are Novgorod, Sakhalin and Tula regions, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and Karachay-Cherkessia. Adult patients with type 1 diabetes are not provided with test strips at all or are provided very little in Primorsky Krai, North Ossetia, Kostroma and Kursk regions, Karachay-Cherkessia.Adults with type 2 diabetes are not provided with self-control in the Vologda and Bryansk regions, Primorsky Krai, North Ossetia and Karachay-Cherkessia. According to Roszdravnadzor, in 2019, the leaders in the number of test strips per day per patient were Moscow, the Arkhangelsk region and the Crimea.

Council members note that the number of measurements in the draft standards of medical care, which are pending approval by the Ministry of Health, “are written in such a way that regional health authorities can interpret them in different ways”: “Some suggest that patients do four to six studies a day in a polyclinic, which is not only impossible and inconvenient, but also much more expensive, given the nurse’s labor costs for blood sampling ”.

The Council intends to propose “to complete the intradepartmental approval of draft standards, taking into account the need to clearly fix the number of test strips issued.”

Members of the Council section “Medicine and Pharmaceuticals” note that “the definition of the concept of“ diabetes school ”is not enshrined in the relevant regulatory legal acts,” which should function to raise patients’ awareness of the disease and how to control it: “It is imperative to unify these concepts, and such an order must be given to the Ministry of Health of Russia ”.The section also initiated a survey in the regions to understand what is happening with diabetes schools. The survey was conducted in 61 Russian regions, where 881 diabetes schools operate. It turned out, in particular, that 74% of diabetes schools in those regions that took part in the survey do not have a separate staff number of medical personnel; endocrinologists and nurses are engaged in training in their free time, often on personal initiative.

Valeria Mishina

Gestational diabetes during pregnancy | OneTouch®

Gestational diabetes

²

What causes gestational diabetes?

Doctors do not know exactly what causes gestational diabetes, but they have some considerations.

The placenta supports and feeds the baby as it grows. Placental hormones help the baby develop. But these same hormones also block the action of insulin, making it less effective. Gestational diabetes occurs when your body is no longer able to make and use all the insulin it needs during pregnancy, resulting in high blood glucose levels if left untreated.

Some women have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.The following factors increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes:

• Overweight before pregnancy
• Too much weight gain during pregnancy (more than recommended)
• Age over 25 years
• History of gestational diabetes
• The presence of diabetes in close relatives
• African American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Most women who receive good health care during pregnancy are regularly screened for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.If you are at high risk of developing gestational diabetes, your doctor may check earlier and / or more than once during your pregnancy.

As part of a gestational diabetes test, your doctor will ask you to drink a sweet drink and take a blood sample for analysis before and after you drink the drink. If the results show that the blood glucose level at the specified time is higher than the recommended limits, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is confirmed. Your doctor will tell you about your gestational diabetes care plan.

Why is it important to treat gestational diabetes?

A mother instinctively protects her child. It is important for the health of the mother and baby to start treating gestational diabetes as soon as it is diagnosed. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause problems that include the following:

• Increased likelihood of having a large baby weighing more than 4 kg – this condition is called macrosomia. It increases the likelihood
  • complications and injuries during natural childbirth;
  • caesarean section.(K-section)
• Your baby is at high risk of premature birth and breathing problems (respiratory distress)
• Your baby is at high risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) soon after giving birth
• You are more likely to have preeclampsia (high blood pressure and liver or kidney problems)

Following your doctor’s instructions and carefully managing gestational diabetes can significantly reduce your risk of developing these complications.

What to expect when diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes:

• Your doctor will recommend a healthy controlled carbohydrate diet and exercise. In many cases, these measures will be sufficient to keep your blood glucose levels under control throughout your pregnancy.
• You may need the help of a dietitian with a healthy eating plan. A dietitian can teach you how to control the amount and types of carbohydrates in your food to manage your blood glucose levels while meeting the needs of your growing child.You may also be asked to keep a dietary log and monitor your weight.
• You may need to check your blood glucose level with a meter daily. Ask your doctor or diabetes counselor to recommend a meter that is right for you. Checking and tracking your blood glucose levels can help you and your doctor manage your gestational diabetes.

Typically, blood glucose should be checked at least 4 times a day, usually on an empty stomach, and then 1-2 hours after eating.Your doctor or healthcare professional will tell you how often you should test and what your target blood glucose range is. Remember to record your blood glucose measurements, including time and test results, before or after a meal, and how long after a meal was taken.

• Light exercise during pregnancy will help your body make better use of its own insulin and help control blood glucose levels.Types of exercise that can be done safely by pregnant women include brisk walking and swimming. Talk to your doctor for advice on safe exercise during pregnancy.

At your appointment, the midwife can check your blood pressure and have a urine sample. You will also talk with your doctor about your blood glucose test results, how you eat, what exercise you do, and how much weight you have gained. Your growing baby will also be closely monitored.All of this will help determine if the prescribed gestational diabetes treatment plan is working and whether it needs to be adjusted.

If dietary changes and exercise do not help control your blood glucose levels, your doctor may prescribe medication – pills or insulin – for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Taking medications (pills, insulin)

If your doctor prescribes pills or insulin, this does not mean that you have not been able to cope with gestational diabetes.In some cases, your body may simply not be able to produce enough insulin on its own for your body to need as your baby grows. It is very important to follow your doctor’s recommendations to protect yourself and your baby. You may be able to stop taking your antidiabetic drugs after the baby is born.

If your doctor prescribes insulin for you to treat gestational diabetes, you can get it by injection or by another means, such as an insulin pump.Someone in your family can learn this with you and help you take insulin as directed by your doctor. Fortunately, today, thanks to insulin syringes with small, thin needles, injections are virtually painless. Your doctor will tell you when and how much insulin you should take each time, and may recommend adjusting your insulin intake during pregnancy.

² IDF Diabetes Atlas (Edition 8) (2017). International Diabetes Federation: Brussels, Belgium.Online version May 5, 2018 at http://diabetesatlas.org/IDF_Diabetes_Atlas_8e_interactive_EN/

90,000 Diabetes mellitus in cats | Articles of the veterinary clinic “Cat and Dog”

Can diabetes in cats be cured?

Diabetes mellitus in cats is an endocrine disease associated with insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas, which occurs more and more often in recent years. According to statistics, it is more common in older cats and in overweight animals.Moreover, cats suffer from diabetes more often than cats.

The exact causes of diabetes mellitus are unknown, the predisposing factors are:

• obesity;
• hormone treatment;
• diseases of the pancreas;
• pregnancy;
• hormonal disorders.

Diagnosis is based on a number of clinical signs. Most often these are complaints of increased appetite and, at the same time, a decrease in body weight.The animal drinks a lot and urinates a lot.

If your pet has these signs, then in our clinic we can take a fasting blood test – in diabetes it shows a high glucose level, glucose or even ketones are also excreted in the urine. Making a diagnosis of diabetes only on the basis of a blood test is incorrect, because in cats, blood glucose can rise from stress, and coming to the clinic and all sorts of unpleasant manipulations to take blood are quite stressful.Even if the animal is calm. Therefore, in case of high blood glucose, it is imperative to pass a urine test! Normally, the kidneys do not allow glucose from the blood to pass into the urine, but when the blood glucose level is very high, the kidneys fail and the glucose begins to pass through the urine.

After the diagnosis is made, the animal is treated. Unlike humans, oral glucose-lowering drugs are rarely prescribed for cats for a number of reasons. Cats are given subcutaneous insulin injections – a simple procedure that any owner can do.Usually 2 injections are given per day (morning and evening) and blood glucose is measured periodically.

Glucose control in feline diabetes.

Glucose is measured strictly on an empty stomach, because after a meal there is a physiological increase in glucose. You can measure it in the clinic or on your own. Use a conventional meter and test strips. A drop of blood is taken from the ear. The doctor will usually show you how this is done. A vessel runs along the edge of the ear (it is clearly visible if the ear is illuminated with a flashlight in the phone), wipe the place of the future injection with alcohol, and when the alcohol dries up, pierce it with a needle and slightly press.Apply a test strip to the resulting drop. The scoreboard will display the result. Squeeze the injection site with a sterile napkin or cotton swab until the blood stops.

Risk of insulin overdose in diabetes.

Remember! It is much more scary to overdose insulin than underdose! The effects of high glucose develop slowly, while low glucose can lead to death within a few hours! If you are not sure that you have injected the entire dose during the injection (for example, the animal jerked at this moment and some of the insulin spilled), never re-inject insulin.

Signs of insulin overdose.

Signs of insulin overdose are as follows: the animal develops weakness, unsteady gait, trembling, loss of consciousness, convulsions, involuntary urination. If the animal is still conscious, you should immediately offer him food. If the condition is already severe or loss of consciousness has occurred – smear something sweet on the mucous membrane of the mouth, tongue, gums – honey, condensed milk, sugar syrup or glucose solution and immediately contact a doctor.

Glucose level in cats.

Normal glucose levels in cats are up to 6 – 8 mmol. In diabetics, it can range from 6 – 8 mmol / l to 16 – 18 mmol / l. If glucose is kept in this range, it is good, with such figures, clinical signs are weak or almost not expressed and the consequences and complications of this disease are minimal. If the animal does not feel well visually, you should consult a doctor for examination and adjustment of the insulin dose.

Diet of a cat with diabetes.

Diet is of great importance. Usually a special medicated food for diabetics is prescribed, they are found in almost every line of premium food. We’ll have to forget about sweets and begging from the table. Only medicated food and water! Normally, after a meal, glucose is very high, and for a diabetic, it is necessary to get glucose from the feed into the blood as slowly as possible. In medicinal feeds, this is provided by special sources of dietary fiber. In addition, the feed should contain a limited amount of calories and a sufficient amount of protein.

Feeding takes place twice a day. This is to avoid fasting glucose. Insulin injection is always done strictly after feeding, usually after an hour. This is a very important point, because if the animal did not eat, or ate little, or vomited after eating, the dose of insulin should be reduced to avoid hypoglycemia. Switching to two meals a day will often outrage cats, which are accustomed to the fact that food is always freely available, but this rule will help to avoid many of the dangerous moments associated with hypoglycemia.

Can diabetes in cats be cured?

Diabetes in cats is curable, but it depends on how quickly the owner goes to the doctor. The earlier the treatment is started, the higher the chance. Gradually reduce the dose of insulin, and if glucose is kept within the permissible range and the animal feels good, then insulin can be canceled within 3-6 months. If the need for insulin does not decrease after six months of use, then the chances of recovery are low and most likely, insulin will have to be injected for life.

As a preventive measure, we recommend monitoring the pet’s weight. Contrary to popular belief, a cat’s thickness is not a sign of its health! It is the maintenance of normal weight that is the simplest method of diabetes prevention.

Kruchinina Natalya Sergeevna

Diabetes mellitus and covid-19: information for patients – Zdravitsa

It is generally accepted that diabetes mellitus is an increased risk factor for the development of coronavirus infection.New clinical data and experiments show that this can work in the opposite direction: scientists are recording new cases when COVID-19 dramatically provoked type 1 diabetes in people.

The World Health Organization considers diabetes as one of the existing diseases, along with age, which could make someone more vulnerable to severe COVID infection.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with metabolic disorders in children or adults, which consists in a deficiency of their own insulin along with an increase in blood glucose levels.The disease is accompanied by weakness, constant thirst, poor healing of wounds on the skin, reduced immunity, complicated by obesity, arterial hypertension, heart, renal failure.

COVID-19 refers to a viral infection of the coronavirus genus, which is poorly understood today, entailing unpredictable consequences. If a healthy body is still able to cope with the disease or its consequences on its own, then patients with coronavirus and diabetes mellitus, as well as other severe chronic diseases, are at risk of serious complications, including death.Why is diabetes dangerous with coronavirus, how to protect yourself from complications?

“Diabetes is like dynamite in case you get COVID-19,” said scientist Paul Simmet of Monash University (Australia). Simmet believes that not only does diabetes increase the risk of complications from the coronavirus, but COVID-19 can also cause a sharp development of the disease.

HOW DOES COVID-19 AFFECT DIABETES?

Any disease in diabetics, including coronavirus, is characterized by:

• low resistance – the body is unable to cope with the pathogen;
• difficult recovery from any disease;
• concomitant complications from the cardiovascular, respiratory system, central nervous system.

WHAT IS DIABETES DANGEROUS IN CORONAVIRUS?

In diabetic pathology, a new viral strain poses a serious threat for the following reasons: a high risk of blood infection, a complex protracted course of pneumonia, and a high likelihood of respiratory failure. When infected with COVID-19, it is important to control blood sugar levels and correct the glycemic index in a timely manner. Otherwise, a favorable environment is created for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora, pneumonia is difficult to treat, literally exhausting an already weakened organism.

To date, it has not been possible to reliably determine a direct connection between the death of patients with coronavirus in type 1 or type 2 diabetes. At the same time, the statistics are relentless:

• more than 10% of deaths occur in patients with COVID-19 with background cardiovascular pathologies;
• about 7-8% for patients with coronavirus and type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• 2-5% mortality is recorded in patients with other severe pathologies of internal organs and systems.

WHAT IS NECESSARY TO DO DIABETICS AT THE PEAK OF EPIDEMIC AND QUARANTINE?

In connection with forced self-isolation, it is important to foresee possible risks, follow these recommendations:

• stock up on insulin replacement therapy;
• regularly monitor blood sugar levels;
• Treat hands and the meter with an antiseptic before performing a blood test;
• follow a diet;
• observe an abundant drinking regime;
• control the intake of immunomodulatory drugs to stimulate systemic immunity;
• observe the regime of self-isolation, without the need not to leave the house, regularly ventilate the room;
• take vitamins, all medications prescribed by a doctor;
• Call a doctor when the first warning symptoms appear.