Diabetes is a serious condition and if managed poorly, it can lead to life-threatening health complications. It is important, therefore, to get tested for diabetes early on, as soon as some symptoms begin to be more apparent. In fact, some symptoms do not manifest themselves during the early stage of the condition. Getting tested for diabetes early helps you maintain good health and reduce the risk for complications through specific lifestyle changes such as weight control and taking the right medications.
Understanding diabetes
Diabetes is a condition wherein your body is unable to produce enough insulin or is resistant to insulin. As glucose levels in the blood increase, the possibility for serious health complications increases as well. Diabetes mellitus comes in two types, which are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is known as juvenile diabetes and occurs as the body is unable to produce any insulin. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is known as adult-onset diabetes. In this condition, the body is either unable to produce sufficient insulin or the body cells resist insulin.
Knowing the symptoms
There are common symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, diabetes at its early stages may have very few symptoms, if at all. This is why getting tested for diabetes should be done if you have experienced any or all of these symptoms:
- unexplained or sudden weight loss
- extreme thirst
- increased hunger
- blurry vision
- unexplained tiredness, lethargy, or drowsiness
- frequent urination
- dry skin, itchy skin
- sores that do not heal readily
- bladder infections
- recurring yeast infections in women
Getting tested
Tests are carried out in order to ascertain whether you are pre-diabetes or you already have diabetes.
FPG test (fasting plasma glucose)
- This test is used to determine whether you are pre-diabetes or already have diabetes. It is used to measure blood glucose. Prior to subjecting yourself to this test however, you need to make sure that you have not eaten anything for at least 8 hours.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- This test measures blood glucose levels however it is carried out after the individual has fasted for at least 8 hours and 2 hours after he or she has consumed a glucose-containing drink. Like the FPG test, this test is used to diagnose both diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Random plasma glucose test
- This test measures blood glucose levels; however, there are no fasting requirements. This test is often done to diagnose diabetes, and not a pre-diabetic condition. This test is carried out, along with an examination of symptoms, in order to determine whether an individual has diabetes or not.
Interpreting the results
A blood sugar test result of between 70 and 99 mg per dL signifies a normal blood glucose level. A result that is higher than 126 mg per dL means that you have diabetes. In order to truly diagnose diabetes, however, you need to undergo two tests on different days and both results need to be higher than 126 mg per dL. You are pre-diabetes if your test results are anywhere from 100mg per dL to 125mg per dL.
Looking into your risk at developing diabetes
If you are overweight or if you have one of any of the risk factors associated with diabetes, testing for diabetes or pre-diabetes is highly recommended. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing for obese individuals, although they may not feel any symptoms associated with the condition. For people who do not have risk factors, testing should be done beginning the age of 45. Individuals who are pre-diabetes need to undergo blood glucose testing after a year, or two years at most. Tests need to be repeated at an interval of three years at the very least, if test results turn out normal. However, the frequency of undergoing tests will ultimately depend on your doctor as well as the results of your tests and your risk status.
Risk factors in developing diabetes
The following risk factors increase your chances of developing diabetes, so if you are younger than 45, extremely overweight, and have any of these risk factors, testing is highly encouraged.
- extremely overweight or obese
- little to no exercise, physically inactive
- high blood pressure or having received treatment for high blood pressure
- having an immediate member of the family – parent, brother, sister – who has diabetes
- for women, having gestational diabetes, or having given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
- history of heart disease or any of the cardiovascular diseases
- PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome in women
- HDL or good cholesterol below 35mg/dL
- triglyceride level above 250mg/dL
- having a condition known as acanthosis nigricans, which is a dark, rough rash that develops around the armpits and neck
Many individuals who are pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. The careful management of diabetes may be achieved through early testing, meal planning, adopting lifestyle changes, as well as taking the right medications. By subjecting yourself to blood glucose tests, you can adopt changes in your lifestyle and diet earlier. This will help you cope with diabetes better as well as delay or prevent any health complications in the future.