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Diagnosing and testing for diabetes FAQ
 

Q:  How can I know if I have diabetes or even pre-diabetes?

A:  Your doctor or choice will use a FPG test - Fasting Plasma Glucose or an OGT test - Oral Glucose Tolerance. 

Q:  What do these tests tell me?

A:  Basically these tests will diagnose to see if your symptoms are due to diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Q:  Is one better than the other?

A:  The ADA recommends the FPG test because it is easier to perform, faster and is more cost effective for the patient.

Q:  What will the levels tell the doctor?

A:  FPG test results: A blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl is a sign of pre-diabetes and a level of 126 mg/dl or higher is the signal for diabetes.  Both are fasting glucose levels.

      OGT test results: A 140 and 199 mg/dl shows pre-diabetes and a blood glucose level 200 mg/dl or higher shows diabetes.  This test is performed differently in that the patient will first fast, then is given a glucose-rich drink and then tested after 2 more hours.

Q:  What might clue me in to being a candidate for diabetes or pre-diabetes?

A:  There are certain factors commonly seen as signals:

Age, Nationality (African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders), Having a brother, sister or other family members with the disease may make you predisposed to it, Having had a baby over 9 lbs and An inactive life style.

Q:  Is there some place I can take a test to find our more about my risks?

A:  Yes.  The ADA has a comprehensive sub-site to help you manage your person profile for diabetes risk and other diseases.  The link will take you to another windo which is not part of our site.  https://www.diabetes.org/phd/profile/default.jsp  

Q:  What I can I do now to fight the good fight before hand?

A:  Since lifestyle, blood sugar imbalance, poor diet and obesity play a major role in positioning oneself to diabetes, it makes sense to watch what you eat, change your activity level and maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible.

See our diet and exercise articles as well as our healthy recipe section. 

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