Although urine and fingerprick tests can reveal a higher than normal blood glucose level, the results can be guaranteed without having one of several in depth blood work tests to confirm diabetes – or not: the more consistent tests are the fasting blood sugar test as well as the oral blood glucose intolerance test. Your symptoms are considered in combination with your results. If there are no major symptoms, there will need to be more tests over the following days.
Diagnosing diabetes
Diabetes must be diagnosed by a blood test in which a blood sample is analyzed in a laboratory. Under normal circumstances, diagnosing type 1 is quicker than type 2, mainly because the symptoms usually develop rapidly and are more severe. For some people, detecting type 2 diabetes only happens when noticing one of the signs of diabetes or similar issues. A visit to the opticians may for example show up problems with your eyes that get detected during an eye test.
Your symptoms of diabetes will be accurately diagnosed by several lab based diabetes test: a random blood glucose test, an oral sugar/glucose tolerance test and a fasting blood sugar test. Tests such as fingerprick and urine tests are not considered sufficiently precise enough, in their current structure, to corroborate that you have diabetes.
With a 6 – 7 millimoles blood glucose test result, your levels are most certainly above average, but not high enough for diabetes to be diagnosed. The labs specialist can describe what the results mean and your options and what they mean for your future health.
If I’m Diagnosed Positive – What Next
You’re never alone if you have diabetes, so within about three months of diagnosis, you will be invited back for some simple check ups so that you health can be monitored and that you’re successfully managing your diabetes. Your test results form the starting point for your yearly check-up, known as your annual review. If any potential issues are highlighted at your review, you’re in the right place for the corresponding type 2 diabetes diet tips.
Managing Your BMI
One of the simple tests you’ll take is to determine your body mass index (BMI). This tells you if you’re the correct weight for your height.
Diabetes and Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is particularly common in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you constantly have high blood pressure, you will be offered one or more drugs based solutions to bring it down.
Why Check Your Feet
Your doctor checks your foot circulation as well as your nerve endings and show you how to keep your feet healthy and in great shape.
Eye Examination
They look for blood vessel damage behind your eye with a ophthalmoscope or a specialized eye camera.
The Other Tests
More blood samples are tested to verify kidney, liver, and thyroid function, and blood lipid levels are OK. A HbAlc test measures your glucose level over the previous six to eight weeks. Your urine is tested for protein as this can signify a problem with your kidneys.
