Taking Diabetes Test To Determine Status Of Health
If you are one of the millions of people with symptoms of diabetes, it will be in your best interest to have a diabetes test performed to see if you have become afflicted with the ailment. There are currently two different tests to determine the amount of sugar in the blood, but the preferred diabetes test is the fasting plasma glucose test, in which the blood glucose level is measured. A person being treated for diabetes checks their blood sugar level several times a day, but this test should not be used for diagnostic purposes.
The blood sugar tests conducted at home will give a reading of the sugar level at that specific time. The amount of sugar will change throughout the day, typically going higher after eating. The fasting plasma glucose diabetes test can measure the amount of the glucose in the blood over a period of up to three months. This lets the doctor know how high the glucose level has been for the past 30 to 60 days, and not just that day.
Results of the fasting glucose diabetes test resulting in a reading of between 80 and 110 are considered normal. A reading between 110 and 125 is considered at risk for developing diabetes and a reading over 125 indicates a person has diabetes.
Importance Of Fasting Before Test
When scheduled for the fasting plasma glucose diabetes test it is important to follow the directions to obtain an accurate reading of the blood glucose levels. Some foods enter the blood stream faster than other foods and if the person eats or drinks something that metabolizes into sugar quickly, it will throw off the results of the diabetes test. Accuracy is important so the doctor can prescribe the right medications to help maintain a health blood glucose level.
The most common form of diabetes, Type 2, or adult onset diabetes can usually be controlled with oral medications. Typically the patient has lost the ability to produce insulin to help wash glucose through the blood stream or the insulin being produce is unable to break down the sugar. Taking a diabetes test when the usual symptoms appear can assure the patient gets the needed treatment.
Symptoms, other than family history include constant thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision and can also include constantly feeling tired. With a family history of the ailment, your doctor will probably order a diabetes test to determine if it is present.
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