Understanding Common Tests

Blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes because, early in the disease, type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms.  All diabetes blood tests involve drawing blood.  Measuring glucose levels via finger-stick devices is not accurate enough for initial diagnoses.  Tests can include:

  • An A1C test, also called the hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C or glycohemoglobin test
  • A fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test
  • An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

Another blood test, the random plasma glucose (RPG) test, is sometimes used to diagnose diabetes during a regular health checkup.

Symptoms of diabetes may include:

  • Increased urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms can include fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger and sores that don’t heal.

–Source:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases