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Diagnosing Diabetes: Causes, types, tests, and diagnosis criteria.

Updated: May 16, 2023



The diabetes diagnosis criteria normally include higher fasting blood sugar levels, post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS) tests, and HbA1c levels.

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your blood glucose also called blood sugar level is elevated which leads to critical damage to your heart, kidneys, blood vessels, nerves and eyes if left undiagnosed and untreated for a longer period.


Table of contents:

What is glucose?

It is a six-carbon compound that includes oxygen and hydrogen. Glucose is a simple form of carbohydrate that our body receives through foods and drinks we consume daily. During glycolysis glucose is converted into ATP molecules which are responsible for releasing and storing energy in the cell. Our RBCs (Red blood cells) are devoid of Mitochondria, which as everyone knows is the powerhouse of a cell. Making them dependent on glucose for energy.

Glucose is that vital molecule which keeps our brain and body going.



What causes diabetes?

What leads to the blood glucose levels increasing? Your blood carries glucose to all the cells in your body for energy. But for this to happen, you need a key hormone. Insulin is the hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the sugar levels in our body. When your body is not effectively using insulin, or your pancreas is not forming enough insulin, glucose molecules never reach their destination. It builds up in the bloodstream which results in high blood sugar.



What are the different types of diabetes?

There are several types of diabetes. Let’s discuss the most common ones:

Type 1 Diabetes:

It’s an autoimmune disease. For reasons unknown, your immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin in your pancreas. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 9 million people had Type 1 diagnosis in the year, 2017.


Type 2 Diabetes:

This condition stops your body from creating enough insulin or making proper use of it. Genetics, not enough exercise and being overweight are some of the factors that cause type 2 diabetes. Earlier diagnosed mostly in adults, it is now common in children and youngsters above the age of 20.


Prediabetes:

Here, your blood sugar levels are higher than normal. However, they are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. This is a stage before Type 2 diabetes. If detected on time; proper medication and some lifestyle changes can help prevent its progression.

Gestational diabetes:

This type can be developed in some women during pregnancy and usually goes away after it. However, you are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes at a later stage in your life.




Diabetes tests and diagnosis criteria:

HbA1c test:

Also known as the A1c test or glycated haemoglobin test. This test measures what percentage of Haemoglobin A1c linkage is present in the blood, out of the total haemoglobin content. HbA1c test gives you a wide picture of the average blood sugar profile i.e., over 90 days. This test is useful for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes. It is also used to monitor the effectiveness of your diabetic treatment. The HbA1C normal range is less than 5.7%.


Fasting blood glucose test:

Also called the FBS test in short. You need to go on a fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Meaning, you can’t eat or drink anything except for water during the fasting period. This test helps in checking your baseline blood sugar level. For fasting blood glucose normal range is 99 mg/dL or lower.


Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT):

It is conducted by checking your blood sugar levels before and 2 hours after consuming a sweet drink. The test determines how well your body uses carbohydrates. OGTT's normal range is considered less than 140 mg/dL.


Random blood sugar test:

The RBS blood test is mostly used to observe blood sugar levels in individuals with suspected diabetes. You can perform this test anytime whether you have been on a fast or have had something to eat before the test. RBS test normal range is less than 140 mg/dL.


Post Prandial Blood Sugar test (PPBS):

This test is performed 90 – 120 minutes after a meal. It helps understand your body’s response to sugar and starch after a meal. The normal range for postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) is usually below 140 mg/dL.


Glucose challenge test (glucose screening test):

This screening is usually a routine part of your care during pregnancy. It is not a diagnostic test; if the results are abnormal, the probability of you developing gestational diabetes is high.


Glucose tolerance test:

This is a three-hour-long test in which the blood is drawn multiple times at specific intervals. This test helps diagnose gestational diabetes and requires you to fast for a few hours before the test.

To understand the diabetes diagnosis criteria, you should refer to the table below. Doctors often perform more than one test to come to an accurate diagnosis.

Test

Normal range (mg/dL)

​Prediabetes range (mg/dL)

​Diabetes range (mg/dL)

HbA1c test

Less than 5.7%

5.7% to 6.4%

6.5% or higher

Random blood sugar test

Less than 140

140 to 200

200 or higher

Fasting blood sugar test

99 or lower

100 to 125

126 or higher

Post-prandial blood sugar test

Less than 140

​140 to 200

More than 200

Oral glucose tolerance test

Less than 140

140 to 199

More than 200

Using a personal blood glucose meter or glucometer:

A glucose meter can be helpful to observe blood sugar daily to keep it under check. But how much difference between a glucometer and a lab test is there? As the lab tests are performed by professionals; they are more accurate. The difference between glucometer and lab test results may vary depending on several factors such as calibration, user error, and quality of the device. A glucose meter is more of a personal sugar check machine which is useful for making daily treatment decisions when the doctor isn’t around.



What are the 10 warning signs of diabetes?

  1. If you observe these symptoms, it’s time you pay a visit to your doctor.

  2. Tingling sensation or numb feeling in your hands or feet.

  3. Unexplained weight loss.

  4. Feeling hungry more than usual.

  5. Feeling more thirsty than usual.

  6. Exhaustion.

  7. Blurred vision.

  8. Need to urinate often, especially at night.

  9. Dry skin.

  10. More infections than usual.

  11. Sores that are healing at a very slow pace.


Takeaway:

Diabetes is a common condition where the blood sugar or glucose levels are higher than normal in your bloodstream. Achieving freedom from diabetes might require a combination of conventional treatments like medication and blood tests, as well as incorporating Ayurvedic principles and lifestyle changes.

If diagnosed with diabetes, it is time to get on a treatment plan that fits your routine and lifestyle. It could be possible to reverse the condition of type 2 diabetes where you won’t have to take medication to keep it under control and your body won’t have to go through the awful effects of having high blood sugar.

Ayurveda for diabetes focuses on improving overall health and managing blood sugar levels naturally. Herbal diabetes capsules or tablets can be used as an add-on therapy to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and decrease the daily need for external insulin. Ayurvedic medicine for diabetes may also include lifestyle modifications such as Yoga and meditation to improve overall health and well-being.

So, always remember: Timely detection and proper management are key in dealing with diabetes head-on. Don't wait for a sugar rush of symptoms and complications, prioritize your health and work with your doctor to stay ahead of the game!




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