Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diabetes is diagnosed with a blood test that measures your glucose level. Your blood glucose level can be measured using three different tests:

Test for fasting blood glucose: You must fast (not eat or drink anything other than water) for at least eight hours prior to the test. Because meals can have a significant impact on blood sugar, this test allows your provider to assess your baseline blood sugar.

Random blood glucose test: The name "random" alludes to the fact that this test can be administered at any time, regardless of whether you've fasted or when you last ate.

HbA1c: Commonly known as glycated haemoglobin. This blood test, which does not need fasting, indicates your average blood sugar level over the last 2 to 3 months. It calculates the amount of blood sugar bound to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. It's also known as a glycated haemoglobin test.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is ordered to screen for and diagnose Gestational diabetes. You fast overnight for this test. The fasting blood sugar level is then measured. Then you consume a sugary liquid (75 gm glucose), and your blood sugar levels are monitored every hour for the next two hours.

Diagnosis of diabetes based on the test results