UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider.
We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider. Log in menu Manage Account Search. Donate now. Breadcrumb Understanding A1C Diagnosis. Understanding A1C. A1C The A1C test measures your average blood sugar for the past two to three months. Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1C of greater than or equal to 6. Symptoms There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes, so you may have it and not know it. If you have prediabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every one to two years.
Results indicating prediabetes are: An A1C of 5. The FPG test looks at fasted blood glucose levels at a single point in time. A fasting test means you can't eat for eight to 10 hours before you have your blood drawn. Most healthcare providers recommend getting tested first thing in the morning after fasting all night. Your healthcare provider will likely repeat the fasting blood sugar test on two separate occasions to confirm the diagnosis.
The OGTT is a glucose challenge test. Fasting blood glucose is usually taken first to establish a baseline level. Then you are given a drink that contains 75 grams of glucose sugar.
Two hours later another blood sample is drawn to check your glucose level. Again, your healthcare provider will usually perform this test on two different occasions before a confirmed diagnosis is made.
Beyond type 2 diabetes, there are several other conditions that may be at play and could result in similar symptoms or even possibly blood work showing elevated glucose levels:. Insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance may be affecting how your body processes and metabolizes glucose, but you may not be in the midst of full-blown type 2 diabetes just yet.
If you have prediabetes , your healthcare provider can help you craft a treatment plan to make lifestyle changes in order to prevent the disease from progressing.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may appear very similar to type 2 diabetes, though they tend to come on all at once in a short time span. Blood work may also still show glucose elevation when standard tests are performed, but your healthcare provider should be able to add on additional testing to confirm whether you have type 1 which may be latent autoimmune diabetes in adults or LADA by looking at certain antibodies and proteins in your blood.
Elevated blood sugar is just one piece of the constellation of factors contributing to metabolic syndrome, which is thought to be linked to insulin resistance. Treatment for metabolic syndrome includes modification of many lifestyle factors including diet, exercise, and stress, but risk factors usually decrease with positive changes.
Mild hyperglycemia high glucose levels and symptoms such as fatigue, tingling, anxiety, and weight loss may be associated with hyperthyroidism or overactivity of the thyroid gland and overproduction of thyroxine.
Your healthcare provider may perform additional testing to check for sufficient thyroid function before ruling out this diagnosis. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This doesn't mean you'll need to dramatically cut back on your eating: Your healthcare team can help you create a weight loss plan that includes not only a healthy and satisfying diet, but also moderate exercise brisk walking, swimming, or cycling for 30 minutes, five days per week along with medication if necessary, supplements, and stress-management practices.
In some ways, while obviously unwelcome, a diabetes diagnosis can mean positive changes in your health and well-being you may not have made otherwise. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed by measuring blood glucose levels. If your healthcare provider suspects you have diabetes, the first step is usually an in-office finger stick for a test called a random blood glucose level, followed by other blood tests to check your fasting glucose levels and A1c.
Frequent urination, frequent thirst, excessive hunger, extreme fatigue, tingling in feet or hands, blurry vision, and cuts and bruises that are slow to heal are symptoms of diabetes that warrant testing. The American Diabetes Association recommends being screened starting at age If results are normal, screening should be done every three years.
Those with risk factors including a family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, previous gestational diabetes, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle may be advised to undergo screening for diabetes at an earlier age or more frequently.
If you have a family member or friend who has diabetes and a glucose meter, you can ask to use their meter to test your blood sugar just be sure to use a fresh lancet or you can purchase one at your local pharmacy. If your reading is over , contact your healthcare provider to be tested for diabetes. We know healthy eating is key to help manage diabetes, but that doesn't make it easy. Our free nutrition guide is here to help. Sign up and receive your free copy!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes statistics report, Last reviewed February 11, Diabetes symptoms. Last reviewed March 24,
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