What Are The Different Types Of Diabetes Tests?
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide. With questions like “What blood test shows diabetes?” and “Can a blood test detect diabetes?” it becomes essential for individuals to learn about the disease.
The normal sugar level in humans should be below 140 mg/dL. But no matter how strict the dietary plan is, knowing a person’s sugar levels by themselves is impossible. Hence, ways were developed to detect an individual’s blood sugar levels.
What are diabetes tests?
So, what is the test for diabetes? The answer is a blood test. By collecting blood samples and measuring them for sugar levels, physicians could better detect the presence of diabetes.
But what blood tests check for diabetes? Let us better understand the various types of diabetes tests currently available:
- HbA1c Test
The HbA1c, or glyco-hemoglobin, is one of the most important diabetes tests. It measures the body’s average blood sugar level over two to three months by inspecting the percentage of haemoglobin proteins holding glucose.
The HbA1c normal range has an A1C percentage of less than 5.7% and an average glucose level of less than 117 mg/dL. - FBS Test
The fasting blood sugar test, or the FBS test, measures blood sugar after 8 hours from the last meal, preferably an overnight fast. The FBS fasting blood sugar test is usually done in the morning before the individual has eaten anything.
This test measures fasting blood sugar levels, which reveals the body’s normal sugar levels without the influence of food. Normal fasting blood sugar levels lie between 70 and 100 mg/dL. Above 125 mg/dL, a person can be called a person with diabetes. - RBS Test
The Random Blood Sugar (RBS) test measures sugar levels at any given time, regardless of when the last meal was consumed. It is done to monitor a patient’s random blood sugar level at any point of the day.
The normal range for RBS is typically less than 140 mg/dL. When sugar levels rise above the RBS normal range, the patient can be diagnosed with diabetes. - PP Test
Postprandial (PP) glucose tests are diabetes lab tests used to measure an individual’s blood sugar levels after eating. It is usually conducted two hours after consuming a meal, recording the body’s response to glucose present in food.
A normal PP glucose level is less than 140 mg/dL. Levels higher than 140 mg/dL after meals may indicate the presence of a diabetic condition. Typically, the normal blood sugar value for diabetic patients is said to be 180 mg/dL.
Why is a diabetes test required?
Diabetes comes with a lot of issues that might prove fatal if not taken care of properly. The normal blood sugar level ranges between 70 to 100 mg/dL without any food consumption.
Doctors advise patients to test for diabetes based on their present condition. A healthy person can be asked to undergo blood tests for diabetes once a year, whereas a type 1 diabetes patient can be asked to undergo lab tests for diabetes patients more frequently.
How to detect diabetes?
It is not unusual for patients to detect symptoms of diabetes. High blood sugar levels symptoms are pretty easy to spot. The following are the most common symptoms of high sugar levels:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Increased infections
In case of continuous occurrence of the following symptoms, it is advised to visit the doctor, who might then prescribe a variety of diabetes blood tests or specific sugar tests. Regular diabetes testing is vital for early detection and management of the disease.
For those looking for the best diabetes lab test centres, getting tested for diabetes is easier than ever with Dr Lal PathLabs’ online blood test booking interface. Consult the doctor and book a test for diabetes today!
FAQs
1. How to check for diabetes?
Testing for diabetes can be done with the help of home diabetes testing kits or at a nearby lab.
2. How to get tested for diabetes?
Always consult with a diabetes specialist who can prescribe the required blood test for diabetes.
3. How do doctors test for diabetes?
The doctors prescribe diabetes blood tests like sugar tolerance tests that measure the patient’s average glucose level and compare it to normal blood sugar levels.
4. Does a blood test show diabetes?
Yes, various blood diagnostic tests for diabetes are the primary method of diagnosing diabetes.
5. What is the blood test for diabetes?
There are several normal blood sugar tests, like the HbA1C test, and a type 2 diabetes blood test. There are other tests like FBS, PP, and RBS.
6. How is diabetes tested?
Diabetes is tested through pre-determined blood sugar test procedures where blood is drawn and the sugar levels in the sample are compared against the normal blood glucose levels.
