Those who suspect they may be developing diabetes, or those who have been diagnosed and are trying to get their disease under control, will be interested in learning the details of diabetes testing. While some testing can be done in the home, results will not be as accurate as tests done in a lab. If you have not received an official medical diagnosis, conducting blood tests in your home is not advised.
What is it?
Two types of diabetes tests are performed to determine if a patient has the disease or is developing the disease. The first, called a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test, is the preferred method. It is a quick and easy test, and it costs less money than other testing options. Blood is drawn by a nurse or lab technician, and may be sent to a lab for analysis where the results are returned to your physician. Your doctor will look at glucose levels in your blood and determine if you are suffering from or developing diabetes. Before taking the test, a patient must fast for at least 8 hours. This will give an accurate reading of glucose levels without worrying about your body reacting to food that has recently been digested.
Significantly high results on the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test will more than likely trigger your doctor to recommend another test. The second test, the Casual Plasma Glucose Test, measures a person’s blood sugar with regard to the last time he ate. Essentially, the doctor will be analyzing how your body responds to food. The test may be given twice to confirm the results. The results also allow a doctor to rule out other diseases that may read similar to diabetes in initial tests.
Who Needs It?
A doctor may prescribe diabetes testing if you report symptoms relative to the disease. Some doctors recommend the test to those who are feeling healthy but are overweight. The National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends the test for those who are age 45 and older, and especially for those who are 45 and older and overweight. They also suggest those under 45 and overweight consider the test.
The American Diabetes Association reports that 7% of the United States population has diabetes. It is believed that many suffer from the disease, or are developing the disease, and they have not received a diagnosis and have no idea they have the disease. If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, you may be diabetic or developing diabetes. It is important to speak with your doctor if you notice:
- Severe increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased hunger
- Tingling in the hands or feet
Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes should continue to undergo testing that will help them monitor and control their disease. Your doctor may prescribe the Hemoglobin AIC Test which helps you and your doctor determine how well you are managing your disease. Results may help you alter your diet in order to control your disease, or incorporate insulin into your treatment program. It is also recommended that those who suffer from diabetes undergo a dilated eye exam during their annual eye exam. This helps your primary care physician and your eye doctor recognize early signs of retinopathy. Your physician may also give a foot exam once or twice a year to check for decreased circulation or sores that may not be healing properly.
Benefits
The benefit of undergoing diabetes testing is its ability to help your doctor detect and prevent the disease. Lab testing is more accurate than the more commonly known finger prick testing. Finger prick testing can be done at home and is a great way to help an individual keep track of their glucose levels on the daily basis. However, if you are in the initial phases of the disease, it is best to have an accurate indication of your disease and its severity.
Risks
One of the main risks of diabetes testing, or any medical testing, is false results. A patient may not be told, or may not understand, they need to refrain from eating in the hours leading up to some diabetes tests. This can severely affect the results and lead to a false diagnosis. If you are concerned about this, speak with your doctor about what you ate and when, prior to the test.
More often than not though, results of diabetes testing are accurate and warn of the development of the disease, or show that a person has developed diabetes. The risks of leaving the disease unmonitored are far more dangerous than undergoing the test. They include:
- Diabetic damage to retinas (this is the #1 cause of blindness)
- Kidney damage
- Nerve damage
- Damage to the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to paralysis of the stomach, chronic diarrhea, and the inability to control heart rate and blood pressure
- Accelerated heart rate
- Increased rate of infection
If you are experiencing any of the warning signs of diabetes, or you feel you may be at risk for the disease based on your physical makeup and family history, speak with your doctor about undergoing diabetes testing. Your decision to undergo the testing may be one of the best you have ever made.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
