Diabetes — Page 12

Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin (a hormone that your body relies upon to convert blood sugar into energy) in the body. But how can you test for diabetes and see whether you have contracted the disease yourself? The best way is to go and see your doctor and ask them to test you. They will then be able to give you an accurate diagnosis. In this article I will discuss four of the most popular diabetes tests that your doctor is likely to use.

1) FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE (FPG) TEST:- The FPG test has become one of the most popular diabetes tests. The main drawback with the FPG test is that it is not suitable to test for gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy). However, if you are not pregnant the chances are that your doctor will use this test to make their diagnosis.

To begin you will be scheduled in for a FPG test. Your doctor will require you to eat nothing for at least eight hours prior to the test. During the test they will take a blood sample and measure your blood glucose levels. They will then analyse the blood sample and diagnose you based on the following rules:

– A blood sugar level of 99 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or less = Normal.

– A blood sugar level of between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).

– A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or greater = Type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In this instance you will be given another FPG for accuracy. If both FPGs suggest that you have diabetes your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

2) ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT):- This test is similar to the FPG but it can be used to diagnose all types of diabetes. If you are a man or non-pregnant woman your doctor will book you in for an FPG test. Following the FPG test they will then give you a drink containing glucose and take regular blood samples after you have drank it. If you are pregnant you will be given the glucose drink without an FPG test and regular blood samples will be taken following consumption. In both variations the final blood sample will be used to make a diagnosis based on the following rules:

– A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or less = Normal.

– A blood sugar level of between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).

– A blood sugar reading of 200 mg/dL or greater = Type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. If you are a pregnant woman then you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Otherwise your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

3) RANDOM BLOOD GLUCOSE (RBG) TEST:- The RBG does exactly what it says and involves a random blood test being taken. RBG tests can be performed without the assistance of your doctor using a glucose meter (a piece of medical equipment that calculates the approximate level of glucose in your blood). The test involves pricking your finger with a lancing device (a device which draws a small amount of blood from your finger), placing the blood on a test strip and then inserting this test strip into your glucose meter to get a reading. If multiple RBG tests show that you have blood sugar levels higher than 200 mg/dL then you may have diabetes.

Although RBG tests are easy to perform they should NOT be used as the only test when diagnosing diabetes. They are approximately 10% as accurate as laboratory tests and therefore any concerns you may have as the result of multiple RBG tests should be followed up with your doctor. Only your doctor will be able to give you a full and accurate diagnosis.

4) GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN TEST:- Glycosylated haemoglobin is the term used to describe haemoglobin that has bound with glucose. Glycosylated haemoglobin cells usually last for between two to four months. If you have diabetes or you are not managing your diabetes effectively the level of glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood will increase. To begin the gylcosylated haemoglobin test your doctor will take a blood sample and analyse the glycosylated haemoglobin levels based on the following results:

– Glycosylated haemoglobin levels of between 4% and 6% = Normal.

– Glycosylated haemoglobin levels below 7% = Diabetes that is under control.

– Glycosylated haemoglobin levels greater than 7% = Diabetes that is not under control.

I hope this article has shown you that there are multiple tests available to determine whether or not you have diabetes. However, you must remember that these tests are useless unless performed under the supervision of a doctor or other qualified medical professional. Many factors can affect your test results and your doctor will be able to look at all the relevant factors and then make an accurate diagnosis. If you think you may have diabetes and want a solid answer then go see your doctor and get yourself tested today.

Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. For more detailed information on diabetes tests please visit Tom’s Fitness Tips blog

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to heart problems, stroke, loss of membership due to poor circulation, and death. Research continues to indicate that regular exercise and healthy diet are two factors that can help people prevent diabetes, as well as enable diabetics have functional life. Diabetes is growing fastest in the developing world than in developed countries. Seven of the ten countries with the largest number of people living with diabetes in the developing world. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the USA. However, studies show that diabetes east sous generally reported on death certificates particularly case elderly multiple chronic conditions cardiaque maladie et hypertension.

Diabetes is emerging from the shadows because the United Nations led the global response and said a resolution on diabetes. Diabetes is divided into two subgroups: type 1 and type 2. The difference is based on whether the problem is caused by a lack of insulin type 1) or insulin resistance (type 2). Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism, a process that converts food into energy. Insulin key in this process, which begins when foods are broken down during digestion to create glucose, the main source of energy in the body.

Diabetes is a serious disease, which if not controlled, can be life threatening. It is often associated with long-term complications that can affect all systems and a body part. Diabetes is diagnosed when fasting blood glucose is 126 more than mg / dl when tested at least twice. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, and the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputation of the USA

Diabetes is a handicap when it limits one or more of a person of major activities of life. Activities of life are normal activities of a person can do with little or no difficulty, like eating and taking care of oneself. Diabetes east factor risk major disease heart actually two thirds persons diabetes die some shaped heart or vaisseaux blood disease. Diabetes is defined by high levels of sugar in the blood, it is dangerous because of its possible side effects and consequences.

Exercise and the diet can help

The exercise helps improve fitness, reduce body fat, burn calories and improve muscle tone. Physical activity is essential to good health. The exercise has other benefits as well. Diabetic Diet and Exercise On medical evidence regular exercise actually help prevent a person contracting diabetes and control.

Carbohydrate foods that contain dietary fiber is important, because a diet rich in fibre has been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancers. For people with high blood cholesterol, lower total fat and saturated fat May be recommended. Diabetics still need carbohydrates at each meal, even if carbohydrates increase blood glucose. Without carbohydrates, the body can not produce energy. Carbohydrates are foodstuff decomposed that can be a sugar and more tu these eat, the higher your blood sugar rises. Therefore, you must monitor the amount consumed at each meal to control blood sugar. Carbohydrates high in fiber will take longer to turn into sugar and are preferable.

Read about signs of diabetes and diabetes statistics at the Diagnosing Diabetes website.

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