The Signs Of DiabetesDiabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes. There are many signs of diabetes, including: v Increased thirst v Frequent urination v Extreme hunger v Unexplained weight loss v Extreme Fatigue v Blurred vision v Frequent infections such as skin, and bladder v Slow healing infections v A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes v Obesity v Age greater than 45 years v Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans) v Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds v High blood pressure v High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule) v High blood cholesterol level v Not getting enough exercise Along with the many signs of diabetes, there are several different blood tests that can be administered to determine if you are diabetic.
A fasting plasma glucose test measures your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes. The FPG is the preferred test for diagnosing diabetes due to convenience and is most reliable when done in the morning. If your fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting glucose (IFG), meaning that you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A level of 126 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on a different day, means that you have diabetes. An oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2 hours after you drink a glucose-containing beverage. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes. Research has shown that the oral glucose test is more sensitive than the fasting plasma glucose test for diagnosing pre-diabetes, but it is less convenient to administer. The OGTT requires you to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Your plasma glucose is measured immediately before and 2 hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. If your blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL 2 hours after drinking the liquid, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired glucose tolerance or IGT, meaning that you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A 2-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes. In a random plasma glucose test, your doctor checks your blood glucose without taking into account as to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes. A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more, plus presence of the following symptoms, can mean that you have diabetes:
Before people develop Type 2 diabetes, they usually have pre-diabetes. This is when their blood sugar levels are higher than what is normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as a diabetic. Recent studies have shown that people with pre-diabetes can return their blood glucose levels to normal by making changes in their diets and increasing their daily physical activity. |