A diabetes test helps to identify the silent invader called diabetes. A diabetes test is necessary to find out whether diabetes has already taken roots within the body.

Diabetes can be life-debilitating if it is not diagnosed at the initial phase.

DIABETES TEST: BLOOD & URINE EXAMINED FOR GLUCOSE & KETONES

The glucose or sugar level gets reflected in the blood and urine.

The blood stream transports the glucose to different parts of the body.

On the other hand, urine is the natural means of the body to get rid of the excess glucose that gets deposited in the body.

Ketones: Diabetes test of urine sample checks the presence of acidic fatty substances called ‘ketones’. Accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream can cause complications.

COMMON DIABETES TESTS: FPG & OGTT

The first diabetes test is carried out to determine the status of the patient vis-à-vis diabetes. It is the screening diabetes test or the diabetes or pre-diabetes analysis to ascertain whether the patient is a diabetic or not.

This virgin diabetes test can be in the form of FPG or OGTT.

DIABETES TEST: FPG

This first diabetes test is known as the FPG (Fasting Plasma Glucose Test). In this initial diabetes test, the level of glucose of the patient while fasting must be between 100 and 125 mg/dl.

A patient is diagnosed as diabetic if his diabetes test is or exceeds 126mg/dl.

The ADA (American Diabetes Association) is in favor of the FPG as it is cheaper and less time consuming than OGTT.

So, what is OGTT?

DIABETES TEST: OGTT

The acronym ‘OGTT’ stands for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. The OGTT diabetes test is determined in accordance with two parameters.

The yardstick of the OGTT diabetes test is the blood glucose level.

Sample of the patient’s blood is collected twice.

The first time sample needs to be taken before the patient takes breakfast.

The second blood sample is collected two hours after the patient is made to drink a beverage rich in glucose.

OGTT DIABETES TEST DETERMINES PRE-DIABETES & DIABETES

A patient is diagnosed to be in the pre-diabetes stage if the glucose (sugar) level in the blood sample taken after two hours is between 140 and 199 mg/dl.

And, the patient is diagnosed as a diabetic if the blood glucose (sugar) level is at or above 200 mg/dl.